A Letter to My Parents

Dear Mom and Dad, 

I never thought I would see the day that I was able to say: I am a rising senior at Elon University. I would be lying if I said I did not struggle with something different each semester. Every time I was drowning, you saved me. It only seems fair that I share the lessons I have learned and the mistakes I have grown from with a thank you letter to you. To start off, I must start from the beginning. 

Mom,

When looking at colleges my junior year of high school, Elon was the last place I was looking forward to going to. You shared with me all of the statistics you found online in hopes that it would make me feel more comfortable. I did not understand your fascination until I stepped foot on campus, and I knew from then on that 99% of the time, you will always be right. 

In reality, I would not be here if it were not for you. None of us would be without our moms. I may talk back, stress you out, and take 10+ years off your life, but I will always love you deep down. You worked so hard to get me to where I am today. Your motivation and ambition are some of the most inspiring qualities about you. You provide me with all the opportunities I could ever ask for in life. Sometimes, I am too engulfed in my own life to express my gratitude for the life you have given me. 

Dad,

Thank you for teaching me that nothing worth having comes easily. I am not the best at receiving advice, but you never gave up on me. The thing I have held onto all throughout college is in order to be successful, you have to be a good person. Whenever I strayed too far from the path, you would guide me back in the right direction. I am as stubborn as stubborn comes, yet you always see the best in me. You and I had similar college experiences in the sense that we have had to work our butts off to prove ourselves, and I am thankful I have someone that understands some of the struggles that I have gone through. 

You both have shown me what unconditional love is. I never make things easy on you, but coming up on my senior year at my beloved home, you deserve more praise than I have given you. You have never once said, “I told you so,” even when I probably deserved it. I look back and wonder where the time has gone. What happened to the days of singing Annie to you or asking you what the difference between mayo and mayonnaise is? One more year until I am on my own, and the success I have achieved up until now I only have you both of to thank for. Thank you, and I love you both.