My parents are two of the most influential people in my life. They raised me to be the young woman I am today. They have cared for me, watched over me, nourished me, and most importantly, have unconditionally loved me. They are always there when I need them, even when I am at an out-of-state university. They're only a phone call away.

I feel like at times I do not show my parents how much they truly mean to me. They have dealt with my teenage attitude of always thinking I am smarter or have more knowledge than the two of them combined. I have argued with them, yelled at them, disrespected them, and ignored them. Every time I look back on moments like this I always feel so low about myself. How could I treat the two people who love me the most like this? They would go above and beyond for me, even if it puts them at risk. They have raised me for twenty years now and have always guided me in the right direction. Why would I ever go against this?

One day, I know I won't have my parents physically with me. They will be watching over me still guiding me every day down the right path, so that one day I can physically be reunited with them in Heaven with The Lord. While I still have them around, I know I need to thank them for several things, but here are six.

1. Thank you for always being my number one fan.

Whether it was in athletics, getting an A on a test, or just me waking up in the mornings, they always were supportive in everything I ever did. They pushed me to be my best and always wanted to see me succeed. They were at every basketball game, every track meet, and every school ceremony. I could always hear them cheer my name out over everyone else around.

2. Thank you for always pushing me hard at everything and not letting me make excuses.

My parents do not believe "excuse" is even a word. If I hated something and wanted to quit, they made me finish it until the season or class was over. They were strict, but I loved that they were. I wouldn't be the competitor or student I am today. They were literally a coach in every sport I ever participated in and my mom was even a middle school teacher of mine. They treated me like every other teammate on the track/court and every other classmate in the classroom. I have only gotten detention once in my life and my own mother was the one who gave it to me in eighth grade.

3. Thank you for always allowing me to have a shoulder to cry on.

Unless it was a silly reason to be crying, my parents were always there to console me when I needed it most. Sometimes when they hugged me I could feel their heart reaching towards mine because they hated seeing their little girl upset.

4. Thank you for raising me to be me.

My parents are firm believers in being who you are and being true to yourself. They don't like it when someone tries to be another. They allowed my sister and I to have our own opinions growing up and supported them even if they were completely different than their own.

5. Thank you for allowing me to experience new things and places.

I've always loved to travel. We go on vacation every year to a beach as a family and have been on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. We also go on several weekend trips. Recently, my parents allowed my sister and I to travel on England (where I got to see Big Ben and have real English Breakfast Tea and crumpets), Norway (where I got to celebrate New Years), and Ireland (where I tried proper fish and chips and got to go horse back riding on the beach in the mountains). None of this would have been possible without them.

6. Thank you for showing me what love is.

My parents love me and they love each other. I hope to have a spouse that will make me laugh like my parents do one another. I hope to one day have a family of my own that I can love, care for, nourish, and raise my children the way my parents raised me. They were strict, but I know they only were because they knew what was and still is nest for me. I plan to be the same exact way one day.

Thank you, Mom and Dad.