Dear Mom and Dad,

WOW! Can you believe it? Freshmen fall is almost over and who would’ve thought we would make it this far. After what seemed to be so far away as I entered high school for the first time is already flying by. So here’s a little thank you. From 3 bedrooms to 345 miles away, we have been through it all.

Thank you for sticking by me when I was wrong but always felt the need to be right and for letting me figure myself out. Even when times had got tough and all I gave you attitude, know it was out of love because without you two I’d be lost. Thank you for the countless days spent at the softball diamonds the amount of support you show because you two are the first people I look for in a crowd of 100. Dad, I appreciate all of the hours of practice you forced me to do in the front yard because it only made me a better ball player and I am so sorry about all the bruises I gave you. Mom, thank you for always smack talking from inside the house saying “You can do better than that” and you were right.

Without you both, I would not be where I am today. I appreciate that you both have sacrificed so much so I can live my dream. Thank you for letting me express myself even if it is in the craziest way possible because you always taught me to go out with a bang. Thank you for being hard on me, just know that because of you I am no longer afraid to get out there and explore new things. Thank you for letting me chose to go to school that is the furthest one I looked at because I needed to find myself and I knew I couldn’t live up to my full potential if I stayed home, so think of the 8-hour drive as a way to understand what my goals are in life. Thank you for never comparing me to my older brother because nothing is worse than trying to live up to expectations that will never be met because we are on two opposite tracks but have success in our futures.

Lastly, thank you for letting me make my own decisions for my entire life from prom and homecoming dresses, which route I am going to take to get there (even though the way I take is 40 minutes longer but the view is amazing), to choosing my college. I have done great things and know that I do them for you because you two are my hardest critics but my biggest fans.

Love Always,

Your youngest child