Let me tell you a little bit about my parents. They met when my mom was a junior in high school and my dad was fresh out of school. They went on a blind date set up by my uncle, they then later on started dating, then broke up for not even a month, and then got right back together because that’s what love does. It always finds a way.
Some people may even call my parents high school sweethearts. How lucky am I to grow up in a house with such love?
My dad is the hardest working man I know, and I mean it. He is constantly on the go helping others, whether it’s for his actual job or it’s a side job. He has a huge heart, even though it might be a little hard to see through his big old beard or his lack of patience for stupidity. The funny thing is, he actually didn’t want to have a daughter because girls are “too hard” to deal with, but let me tell you: he deals with me just fine, and I know he loves having a daughter (he gets no choice but to).
My dad has taught me to help others. He has taught me how easy it is to love what you get, even if it isn’t exactly what you wanted. He taught me to take no crap from anyone, and he has taught me that your work may go unnoticed, but it makes a huge difference.
My mom is exactly who I want to be when I grow up. She is the most compassionate, empathetic woman ever. She has a heart that hurts when others hurt. She has a heart that is happy when others are happy. She has a calming presence that is hard not to love. Words cannot describe my mom, but she is my best friend and mother all in one.
My mom has taught me that it is okay to feel deeply for others. She has taught me how to care for others and how to be patient with people. She has taught me that you can’t always see what the deeper problem is, but to do the best you can to help someone even if you’re at a loss or if they make it nearly impossible.
Together they have taught me a great deal of things like music, lacrosse, how to bake, how to drive, etc. But I would say what I have learned most from them is how to love. My parents have raised me completely surrounded by love. Unconditional love. The love they have for my brother, the love they have for each other, the love they have for me, and the love they have for God.
I have learned how to love deeply and unconditionally through my parents’ love. There is no feeling greater than the love of parents. I am truly so blessed to have been, and still be raised by, two people who have unconditional love for each other and for my brother and me.
To all the parents reading this, you are the perfect parents for your child/children. You are doing so well at raising the ones you love. Even though I’m sure they don’t make it easy, you will never fail to make them feel loved in your home.
To my parents, seeing you both work and love with God in your heart has only brought me closer to my faith and to you. I want to live my life like you both do. Thank you for helping me become who I am. I love and appreciate you to grandmom and back.
And to the students reading this, if you haven’t been privileged to have parents who love unconditionally, when it is your turn to become parents, you do not have to continue the bad cycle they have created. Surround your kids with unconditional love. I promise you won’t regret it.