I just want to start off by saying thank you.

Thank you, mom and dad, for everything you have done for me. I could never thank you enough for all that you have sacrificed in order to get me where I am today.

Thank you, mom, for never pushing me to be perfect, but to always to my best. Thank you for teaching me that just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean that I should. Thank you for being able to pick out my fake friends before I realized how toxic they really were. Thank you for giving me freedom and chances to mature by making my own choices. Thank you for understanding that I don’t always like to talk about my problems, but always being there for me if I ever do. Thank you for constantly reminding me that I deserve so much better. I might not have appreciated it then, but thank you for disciplining me and letting me know when I was in the wrong. I cherish all of the countless shopping trips we took. I cherish all those countless hours that you stayed up worrying about me.

Thank you, dad, for teaching me the things you felt were important for me to know to make it through life on my own. I cherish all of the countless hours that we spent together outside in the garden, on the tractor, and fishing. I could have turned out to be the girl that was afraid of mud, but instead, you taught me to be the girl that loved to stay outside and get dirty (even though mom hated it because I would ruin my clothes and track dirt in the house). Thank you for showing me how much better a truck is than a car (minus the gas mileage). Thank you for spending hours at a time helping me become a better softball player. I cherish the numerous hours we spent in the batting cages.

Thank you, mom and dad, for spoiling me and giving me everything I could ever want while also teaching me that no one likes a spoiled brat. Thank you for attending every precious moment of my life, from the softball games to the beauty pageants, the band shows to my NHS induction ceremony. I wouldn’t have made it this far if it wasn’t for y'all supporting me 110%.

As I’ve entered the real world on my own, I know that I am not really alone. Thankfully, I know that you will always be there. But thank you for preparing me for the curve balls that life is going to throw out me. I’m sorry for the times I took everything you did for me for granted. I didn’t realize how different my life would be once you weren’t around 24/7. And most importantly, thank you for raising me up in a life full of God and teaching me how wonderful He is.

So thank you.