Dear Mom and Dad,

I am not sure if you know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me, everything you continue to do for me, and everything you will do for me. I look up to both of you all the time. I wouldn't be the man I am today without you two. Y'all have always been there for me no matter what.

I know raising me hasn't been easy because of the medical issues and because I am hard-headed at times, but I wouldn't be where I am without you. I know we've butted heads, and I know growing up wasn't easy, but you were there to guide me and show me how to solve problems and take the next step.

Every day I think about y'all and want to show you how hard I am working to make you proud of me. You have been there through all the good times, but I'm even more thankful that y'all were there through the bad times, because we know there have been some bad times. You have been there when I've been in a hospital bed clinging to life after I was born and the car accident when I was two.

I've been in college for five years now and this summer I haven't been able to go home to visit with y'all for the first time since I've been in school. It sucks because I don't talk to y'all as much as I'd like to and that makes it even worse. Every chance that I get to go home, I cherish it because it doesn't happen much anymore, and it's made me realize how much I miss living at home.

Thank you for listening to me rant, ramble, or just talk at you over the phone, even when I'm not making sense. Thank you for giving me the life that every child deserves and for being such great parents. One day, when I have kids, I want to be just like you. Thank you for pushing me and challenging me to be a smart student in school. College definitely hasn't been the easiest, but you've shown me that with hard work, anything can happen.

At this point in my life, I’m considered an adult. Yes, maybe sometimes I don’t completely act like it, but that’s part of life, right? As I’m growing up, I realize just how much you did for me. And, for that, I need to truly thank you – something I don’t think I’ve appropriately done to date.

Dad, thank you for getting mad at me when my report card didn’t have high enough grades. Thank you for making me realize that I can put more time into my work and improve my performance as a result.

Mom, thank you for your personality. Thank you for sharing your love of life, sense of humor, excitement for every experience, ability to befriend a stranger, and courage to look fear directly in the face until it backs down.

Dad, thank you for being so strict with your rules that I missed out on some moments that could have led me down the wrong path. Thank you for standing your ground when I begged to go somewhere or do something that, in hindsight, could have introduced me to things that would jeopardize my future forever.

Last but not least, thank you for being my parents. I wouldn't want to be anyone else's kid. You have always been there and always will be and I will make you proud every way that I can.