My Commanding Officers

What in the world would I do without these lovely people...The Lord couldn't have given me better parents to raise me and instill their values in me. In honor of their anniversary coming up, I want to dedicate this post to them for showing me how to truly love and sacrifice for the good of another.

I have learned through their patient love and acceptance of one another through each struggle and victory. They support me just as they support each other by never letting my dreams be forgotten. They hold their expectations high, but they never fail to lend a helping hand to reach them. Having parents believe in you the way these two do, you always know they will love you regardless of the many failures you endure on your path to success.

I have never had to walk through anything alone, whether that be my mom raising us alone when my dad was at sea, years of playing soccer with my dad as my coach, or big life decisions such as college or joining the Army. My parents have both been right beside me every step of the way. I have had encouragement and high expectations through each commitment I've made, whether that was joining a team, leading a club, or excelling in school. All of this couldn't have been possible without the endless sacrifices these two have made for their kids. Their love for us is so deep and so endless that we never have to look back and wonder if we have their support even for our wildest dreams. They have spent many hours in the car, watching soccer games, concerts, cross country meets...the list goes on. But more specifically, they have been the greatest example of sacrificial love for the good of the other. 

Here's to my mom, who is the greatest example of believing and achieving. The one who loves the deepest, cares the most, and smiles through any hardships. She is the strongest light that the Lord has put in my life when things start to get hard. She is the one that I can always call and dump my heart and soul into when I'm having a rough time. She is the one I can call when I am excited about something or just want to chat about the little things. Mom seems to know all the answers, yet allows us to figure them out for ourselves. Thank you for showing me how to work hard to reach my dreams and to never let someone change who I am and what I believe.

Here's to my dad, my best friend, and hero. The one who God created to hold the most gentle strength and kindest heart that I've ever known. Someone I can count on to always love me despite any flaw or low moment. His open arms and big smile are my favorite things that I can look forward to on a good and bad day. He never fails to make me feel seen, loved, and heard. He loves us so silently and makes unnoticed sacrifices in order to love us better every day.

Here's to the two who have set the standard high and lived out an inspiring example of how to love and live. I love you both greatly and I am so blessed that the Lord picked you as my parents and also as my lifelong friends.