Day 24 - Letter to Mom and Dad

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Day 02- The meaning behind your blog name
Day 03- A recent picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Tumblr and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Who are you?

_________________________________________________________________

Oh brother, this is going to be a doozie. My mom asked me if I was purposely avoiding this post. I kind of was, just because I felt like I needed oodles of time to sit and get it just right. But I don't have oodles of time, so I'm just going to write from the heart. Two separate letters.

Dear Mom,

I think you are perfect. I really do, even your little quirks and flaws, are somehow perfect. You are fun to tease because you laugh at yourself, and therefore we tease . . . but really, NO ONE has a real negative thing to say about you. I've realized since moving out of the house, getting married, having a baby, and experiencing adult life, that you did an even more amazing job raising us than I thought. You were the constant in our family. It seemed as though every decision you made was made to keep our family together. From you, I witnessed how to control my emotions for the sake of the situation and how to see from the other person's point of view. Just as importantly, I learned from you that it is okay to speak up for myself. I know you think that this is a new development for you, but I know that it is not. It seems like you have been caring on a very direct-level for others your entire life. I am so happy that you are starting to carve out time for yourself, even though it's hard for you to let that responsibility go. You are my favorite type of person to spend time with: a great listener, easy laugher, laidback, fun-loving, and you don't pretend to know something if you don't know something. I love you so much Momma! I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Dear Dad,

You love me so immensely and uniquely. I feel like it is hard for other people to understand that relationship sometimes, and that makes me so sad for them. I don't remember a day that I saw you that you didn't tell me so sincerely how much you loved me and was proud of me. What motivation to make me want to keep making you proud! I honestly feel honored that I got to watch you change in such positive ways as I grew up. You worked so hard to be a better and better version of yourself, and it is inspiring to know that people can change. We named our daughter after you for this very characteristic. I can't wait to tell her why we named her after her Poppi. You taught me how to really treasure my child. I love you so much Dad. You are my favorite nurse.

To You Both,

You were both near perfect parents, and now you are trying to learn how to be near perfect partners for each other. I am so proud of the both of you. So proud to call you mine. I feel so lucky to have a Mom and Dad I can count on . . . and also two friends that I like to see and spend time with and laugh with. I don't use the term "blessed" very often, but I do really feel blessed that my new little family has gotten to spend more time with my old little family so much lately. I love you both!