To those of you who are reading this, but aren't my parents... Tonight marks a year since my first night at home, a year ago tonight, I received this message:
To my parents,
A year ago tonight, you decided that you would open your home to a girl of whom neither of you really knew all that well. You took a chance, a chance that no one would've guessed could have ever turned out how it has. At the time, you didn't know I was sitting on the side of the road crying when your short message came through the cell phone that had been clenched between my tear soaked, make up covered fingers. Feeling like I had no where left to go and no one to turn to, I sat there alone in my car. You were there, out of no where, you appeared.
That night, for what seemed like forever, I locked myself in my car, crying, fighting myself...and Dave, who among a few other had been relentlessly messaging me to not let go, not to give up, that there was more worth living for. Oh boy were they right! I never would've guessed on this night, one year ago, that my life would be anything like it is now; I never would've guessed that I would have the incredible parents I have sitting before at the dinner table tonight. Parents who, despite all their imperfections, are the perfect match for me. You both have been there to challenge me and encourage me, hold me tight and cry with me, not mention all the times we've laughed so hard we couldn't breathe, and the things we've had to learn together. Above all however, you have both been there, every step of the way, loving me more than I ever could've dreamed possible, no matter what.
Mom,
You are a power house of protection and love. I can't believe how lucky I was to be given you as my mom. You have earned the title of mom, over and over again. All the times you've been there, and when you haven't been able to, your advice and voice have been a quiet reminder in the back of my mind.
I know that sometimes you feel like you're doing everything wrong and that sometimes when I tell you how wonderful of a mother truly you are, you think that I'm just saying it to be nice, but please, just for tonight even, look in the mirror with my eyes for a minute.
Because the woman I see, she's a fighter. But she'd never fight out of anything less than the fiercest of loves she has roaring inside for her family. She's a giver. She gives her time, her love, her many talents, and gives of herself to make sure that I'm taken care of, and my dad is too. The woman I see, she's wise, truly wise - she's done all she can to turn every mistake she's ever made into a lesson, because no matter how much those mistake hurt her to make, I know she would relive them a hundred times before she let me make the same ones. But she somehow, she knows I'll still make a million different mistakes of my own, and she's always waiting with open arms and handfuls of grace. I am so thankful for that.. More than anything though, I'd hope you could see that the woman I see when I look at you, she's a hero. She may not have a cape, probably because it wouldn't match her outfit, but she doesn't really need one either - she doesn't fly like the rest of them anyways, because the woman I see, she listens to her heart and every step she takes towards a closed door is made with love. That's her super power: unconditional love. Unconditional love that breaks through every wall with nothing more than a hug that doesn't let go too early and maybe a kiss on the forehead, for those times when words just aren't enough.
I wont know for certain for a while yet, but I bet that Grandma is really, really proud of you. You have her heart. I'm sure of it. And she'd back me up on all that cheese I just spilled everywhere.
I love you so much Mom, even though I'm your Sunshine, I just hope that I make you as happy as you make me when my skies are grey.
Dad,
You are unbelievable, no seriously, some days I really just don't believe how truly amazing you are. I don't know how I was blessed with such a patient, selfless man to be my dad. But I wouldn't trade you for anyone, even if you do fart a lot. You really are the best dad in the universe, even if you never got a book of reasons why. You set such a beautiful example of what it means to work hard and how it pays off. With everyday that passes, I become more and more proud to be your daughter.
You've shown me that true love isn't something that exists in fairy tales, but that it's something that exists when you give wholly of yourself for the happiness and safety of others. Mom and I are the luckiest girls on the planet, we never have to worry, we can always count on you.
Speaking of you and mom, I wanted to take a second to thank you: because of you, I know how a man should properly love his wife. I know how I should be treated and that settling will never be an option. And one day, when my knight in shining armor comes to whisk me away, I'll be able to go confidently into that new adventure because you've taught me that it is a man's character more so than the shimmer of his armor or the glimmer of his eye that counts. You've shown me how I deserve to be loved, not only by the example of how you love my mom, but because you loved me first before any other man has had the chance. Because of that, you know me and despite all my crazy, you love all my imperfections for no other reason than that I am your daughter. No matter how strong that knight may be, you were there first, at my weakest, in the middle of the night, you were the first to step up to slay the dragons, no matter how big they are - you always keep me safe.
I love you to the moon and back.
Well parents, I realize this is full of cheese and feelings but if nothing else please understand this:
A year ago, if anyone would've told me that I would have two people who love me as much as you do, and that I would have two incredible people to love as much as I do you both, I can't tell you I'd believe them. But I know that as my parents, you see all that am I, all that I can be, and all that I never will... and despite all of it, I know you love me un-con-dit-tion-nally, and for that, I am so thankful.
Forever and always, and no matter what,
Your daughter.
