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A Christmas Letter to My Parents

Thank you for making every holiday season so special.

Ali Makinen

Dec 19, 2018

Millennials of New Jersey

676

https://www.everypixel.com/search?q=christmas%2B&stocks_type=free&image_id=10310702974173708977

Dear Mom and Dad,

Merry, Merry Christmas to you two... my favorite people. It's truly the most wonderful time of the year! I hope you know that I wish I could give you both the world for Christmas. After all, what do you do when two of the people you love most in your world deserve a castle and a private jet, and all you can afford is a candle?

Now that I spend most of the year away at college, I've come to appreciate my time at home more than anything, especially around the holidays. Thank you for showing me to adore Christmas, and filling my mind with the best of memories surrounding this time of year. The two of you always made Christmastime so magical while I was growing up. From baking cookies together to watching Christmas Vacation for the 100th time, to wrapping presents (on Christmas Eve at the last minute, of course), I will hold my holiday memories close to my heart for always. Experiencing the innocent, pure joy of this holiday each and every year with my family by my side is unlike anything else.

Now, even though the Santa magic is gone, and I'm much older now, Christmas still means the world to me. The idea of it, and the reminder of all the wonderful memories I can't even describe how incredibly excited I was to (be done with finals) and to come home for the holidays.

Above all, thank you for teaching me the true meaning of Christmas. It's not about the presents, it's not about the beautiful lights, it's not even about the delicious cookies. It's about appreciating the time you have with your loved ones, and about giving yourself to others, in any way you can. It's about the birth of Jesus Christ: the true reason for the season.

I hope this Christmas treats you two well, and that you are able to completely unwind and simply enjoy the time God has given us with all of our family and close friends. I'm so happy to be here with you two.

Love always,

Your daughter

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Christmas Letter to My Parents

Thank you for making every holiday season so special.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

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11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!