To my aunt and uncle, thank you.
As I have just finished my freshman year of college, I started to look back to think of how I got here. There’s mom and dad, old friends and new friends, good professors and bad professors, and then there’s the two of you.
Thank you for helping raise me
Those summers when mom and dad were at work and you were the only people who could watch me always stick out as some of the best days. I remember walking to Chuck E Cheese's at least once a week, or going to the pool every day that it was nice out, or going to the toy store just so we could play with the toys we could never have. You didn’t have to do all of this, we could’ve stayed home and found ways to occupy ourselves. So, thank you.
Thank you for giving me cousins
Your son and daughter have become siblings and best friends. Growing up with your son was a roller coaster ride, and I got to experience the fighting and love of having a little brother around. As we grow older, I’ve learned to lean on your son for help, as he on me. I’ve learned the responsibilities of babysitting by watching your daughter grow up around me. So many of my summers were filled with growing up around your kids and I’m very thankful for that.
Thank you for supporting me through school
Thank you for making it to all my major school events and for making sure I was doing my best to succeed in school. Thank you for asking how school is and telling me I can do it when I walk in your house cursing every professor and assignment. These are all small things but they mean the world for a girl who’s trying her hardest to be the best that she can be in school.
Thank you for your cooking
There are days when we’re all sitting there and I am craving nothing but traditional food that I haven’t had in years. Then, the next weekend I get home from work and Mama gives me food and says that you’ve made me exactly what I asked for. Y’all don’t have to do that, but you do, constantly. And you’re cooking in general, I don’t think that I’ve ever left your house without eating something and there’s really nothing wrong with that.
Thank you for being there for me
Whenever something is wrong, I know that I can show up to your house uninvited and tell you what’s wrong in the trust that you won’t tell anyone else. I know I’ve done this so many times and every time you welcome me with open arms and advice.
Thank you for always making me laugh
Whether it’s a phone call or a family gathering, I always find myself crying because I’m laughing so hard. When the two of you have fights, they aren’t really considered fights because they make everyone in the room laugh. The countless amount of jokes and childhood stories have stuck with me and sometimes I catch myself laughing by myself when I think of them. Even the times that I’m in tears over something, one of your jokes always wipes the tears and brings a smile.
Long story short, I’m forever grateful to have you in my life. I’m thankful for all the summers you spent with me, the days that you made me laugh, the few times you yelled at us kids, all the things we’ve done together, and lessons that you’ve taught me.
Thank you,
Xoxo
