Dear Mom and Dad,

When you were my age, you were getting married and planning the best life that you could possibly give your children. Now that I have grown to be the age at which you started your lives together, I understand how difficult that must have been.

When you were my age, you took turns moving across the globe, from India to America, because you knew that was where you could give your children the best life. Now that I am that age, I couldn't be more grateful. Because of this impossible choice you made at such a young age, I have had the best education, safest childhood, and grew up in a country where I was taught to speak my mind. If you hadn't made that move, I would've been an entirely different person: I would have grown up in a country where you give bribes in the form of "donations" to schools for adequate education, where women never feel safe, and where women are taught to stay quiet and keep their heads down. For the safety, freedom, and quality of life I have because of the move you made so long ago, I thank you.

When you were my age, you had about as much money as I have now (very little), the difference being that I have you two to support me and you only had each other. Somehow, you managed to pay for your own wedding, move into your own apartment, make it across the globe, and start a new life all on your own. Of course you had some family support, but you never left yourselves indebted to anyone. This experience taught you the value of a dollar, and you raised me to know it too. I have so much respect and admiration for how far you have come and the amazing life you have given our family. We now have so much more than we need, and I appreciate it endlessly. For this incredibly blessed life, I thank you.

When you were my age, the strength of your love was tested. Your marriage wasn't one that either family was thrilled about, you were so young, and you were put in the position of having to live on opposite sides of the globe for a few years. Your story is as unique as it gets and things were never easy along the way, but you made it through. The odds were certainly against you, and not many marriages would have survived, but yours did. I can only hope to have a relationship as strong as yours someday. You showed me what love is supposed to look like and taught me never to give up on who or what you love, and for that, I thank you.

All this I learned from stories of when you were 21, and as I begin this year of my life, I can't imagine acquiring even half as much wisdom as you did. This might be because I won't have to struggle like you did because you spent every minute since the day I was born making sure my life would be better. There have been a few bumps along the way, but I have never faced anything that you have not helped me overcome. There is no way I could have made it through these 21 years without you. For giving me a life full of so much happiness and love, I thank you.

Love,

Your endlessly grateful daughter.