Thanks Mom and Dad
I can’t believe that I’m graduating from Washington College. It’s so weird to think about because it seems like just a few days ago I was moving into the freshman dorm and crying with my mom because I wasn’t ready for her to leave me yet. But now, four years later, here I am- finished with my undergraduate education and moving on to the next chapter in my life.
It’s funny because growing up, I had a new favorite teacher every year. In third grade it was Mrs. Gotch, then Mr. Patosky, and in high school I thought that nobody could ever be better than Mr. Rudis. Once I got to college, I found that all of my professors were my favorite! Everyone is so smart in different ways that it is hard to pick one over the other. And as I sat there thinking about it, I realized that my favorite teachers weren’t my professors after all. They’re my parents. (I know you guys, graduation makes a girl SUPER emotional!)
One more aside before I get started: at WAC, we aren’t supposed to decorate our graduation caps. You know… the “thanks mom & dad” ones or “future nurse” the way that they do. We can’t do that here, so I’m going to put my “thanks mom and dad” right here.
Mom and Dad,
I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU! And to remind you once again that your little girl is graduating from college. But I’m not that little of a girl anymore! Over the past 21 years, I have grown into a woman who I am proud of and it’s all because of you guys. I see aspects of both of my parents in myself. So thank you.
Thank you for being there for me endlessly and raising me. Thank you for the endless love and support. From my first steps to moving into college, you two have always been there for me. Thank you for holding my hand throughout life, but also knowing when to let it go and keep a careful watch from behind, like Mom did when I started kindergarten. And thank you for always being there to celebrate achievements, even when it’s not easy to get off work (especially when you work in a different country, Dad!).
Thank you for giving me life advice and not getting mad when I don’t always follow it. Thanks Mom for answering my phone calls/text messages and listening to me cry, and then calming me down again. And Dad, thank you for being so protective of me and keeping me grounded. Thank you for all of the sacrifices you have made for me; thank you for taking off work to take me to the doctor AT LEAST once a month when I got sick! And always reminding me to take my medicine, wear the boot… whatever the doctor ordered. Thank you for cosigning my loans and making it possible for me to go to college.
Thanks Dad for trying to teach me how to drive a car. And Mom, for actually teaching me how to drive a car when Dad yelled at me. After giving up on the giant truck and then the stick shift, you guys both finally learned that all I wanted was a small automatic. Thank you for filling my car up with gas and helping me change the oil when it needs it. Dad, thank you for looking at my car every time the check engine light came on and telling me what to do whenever the steering wheel starts to shake.
Mom, thank you for all the shopping trips and girls night dinners. I’ll never be able to walk into an Applebees without thinking about us blowing straw wrappers at each other. Thank you for going along with whatever crazy nicknames I come up with for you and cuddling with me when I’m sad.
Thank you for always reminding me that you’re proud of me. Thank you for supporting me when I told you I wanted to spend two weeks in a hut in the rainforest and then making that a possibility. Dad, I want to thank you for always slipping me a $20 when I see you. And Mom for teaching me how to cook and sending me homemade food when I’m homesick. Thank you both for keeping my steak on the grill for an extra 20 minutes because I hate when there is any pink in it at all.
Dad, thanks for giving me your sense of humor and keeping my mind sharp. I can always go to you for fun trivia questions and we’d make a killer Jeopardy team. Thank you for keeping up on your pop culture references and watching all of my favorite TV shows because you know it makes me laugh. And Mom, thank you for always taking my side in (most) arguments. It is definitely a good thing to have someone like you on my side.
Mom, you have taught me to be independent and strong. But you have also taught me patience. You are truly superwoman and I hope that I can be as independent as you are one day. Thank you for helping me study and encouraging me that i’ll “get the next one!” if I don’t do well on an exam. Dad, thank you for defining “integrity” to me before every job interview I’ve ever had and teaching me about work ethic. These are things I’ll use in my every day life from here on out.
And finally, thank you for being the best parents a girl could ask for. You guys are not only my parents, but you are amazing teachers and friends, too. There are a million things I want to thank you for, but I can’t possibly fit it all into words. I hope you know that I appreciate everything you do for me.
Love, Courtney
