Thankfulness - a letter to my parents

I had a friend pose a question asking if there was someone in my life that I under appreciated and if so how would I say thank you.

I am so blessed to have 2 amazing people in my life, who definitely have the most under-appreciated job, that of being parents. Parents to me and my 3 siblings. In 22 years of living, I have been able to count on, love and have the support of my parents. As I grow older our relationship keeps growing. I love my parents for their strength, for their unconditional love of their children and for being the ultimate example of the fact that marriage is a struggle, but also that it is possible to work at keeping it together - with love, patience and perseverance. I am one of the lucky ones who can say that my parents have been married for 22 years.

My mom is the most inspiring person I know. She had 4 children before the age of 30, worked full time my whole life and is still able to put food on the table at night and love each and every one of us with all her heart. She challenges me everyday to make my dreams a reality. She is a successful woman and an amazing mother. Even with no example to look after, my mom was born to be a mother. She is caring, supportive and she believes in her children with all her heart. In the bible it says that "love hopes all things." My mom lives this out every single day. She has never given up on me. She believes in me more than I do myself. And for that all I can say is thank you, I love you and I'm thankful to call you my mother.

My dad has such a great heart. He loves his children. He takes care of his home. He has taught me that in all things to have pride and confidence in myself. He loves my mom. He has never left when things got tough, and he has taught my brother, sisters and me to always put family first. My dad has a passion about God that without, I think I would have never gone to church, been baptized or learned what life is about. He is strong willed and sometimes even hard headed, but he would never think twice about being there when you need him. I am thankful to have such an amazing father, one that has supported me in all that I do. I love you, Dad. Thank you for everything.

So this is my thank you to those who mean the most. To those who often go unappreciated. I love you both. Thank you for everything you both do everyday for our family.