Dear family,

As I am nearing graduation, I've had some time to look back on the last 22 or so years of my life, especially the last four. I've come to the conclusion that I absolutely could not have done it without you guys. Now, this seems kind of obvious especially in the early years of my life because of course, I couldn't have taken care of myself. However, you all have not just taken care of my needs, but you have always gone above and beyond in every way possible, and in the last four years you've been the ones I could turn to when I had no idea what I was doing.

I still don't particularly know what I'm doing, but I have a better idea. You've given me the ability to dream big and have taught me how to be courageous enough to go after those dreams. You've always supported whatever undertaking I was determined to conquer next, no matter if I succeeded or failed (let's not talk about those sad golf lessons). You were even encouraging (although a little wary with good reason) when I decided that I had to go to college out of state. Although, you've never been more than a phone call away.

Now, less than a month for graduation, and I know I have you guys to thank for so much. I'll never be able to thank you enough, but here's a start:

Thank you for your never-ending support. Thank you for always knowing the right things to say when things weren't going my way. Thank you for hours and hours worth of phone calls. Thank you for even putting my needs above your own some of the time. Thank you for home-cooked meals. Thank you for hand-written letters. Thank you for thinking of me on every holiday and occasion. Thank you for your words of wisdom. Thank you for giving me direction when I had none. Thank you for everything you have taught me. Thank you for giving me strong roots in who I am and always letting me have a place to come back home to. Most of all, thank you for giving me wings to fly away to follow my dreams and reach for the stars.

With all the love in the world,

Your daughter and granddaughter