A love letter to those sweet souls that encourage me.

You ever just watch a random movie on Netflix about love letters a soldier sent his adoring girlfriend back home? Words of appreciation and the longing for physical touch, the heaven-sent words that mean the most to the other as the endure life away from one another during the most challenging parts of their lives. Although this might not be that type of love letter, this, is for the people that mean the world to me.

To my parents: If I had a tally mark for every time I argued with one of you, I’d have more tallies than Maui did when he was alone on the Island counting his days there. But that doesn’t change the love I have for both of you. The endless support and encouragement, guiding me through life and preparing me for what’s next. For questioning my impulsive decisions then laughing with me about them, for getting matching tattoo’s with me without telling dad, for late night snacks as we watch Big Brother after I flop my entire body on your bed, for letting me sleep all day because nigh shift rocks then cooking me chicken strips at 10 p.m. so I can actually eat for the first time all day before I go into work because I slept through dinner, for answering my phone calls when I freak out because my car did something weird and I don’t understand a thing about cars, for teaching me about love, God, giving me my siblings, letting me cry to you, allowing me to find my way through life and backing the decisions I choose to make with full support and so so so so much more, thank you.

To my siblings: Growing up with y’all was rough. At least I got good at running because you would chase me with the most random objects until one of us couldn’t run anymore, for the comparisons I faced between us that made me so insecure but now make me appreciate the individuality we had, for the courage you all show, for sending me your handwriting for a tattoo I didn’t tell our parents about, for going weeks without talking because life just gets in the way when you’re upwards of 7,343 miles away, for protecting me, for teaching me, for speaking for me when I couldn’t, for making me more driven to succeed, for showing me that it’s okay to make mistakes, for the endless forgiveness, for the quick updates about life that although so short, they still connect us ad it makes me feel like we’ve just had a 5 hour deep conversation even though it was just a few sentences, for everything, the ups and the downs, thank you. 

To my friends: Each and every one of you mean so much to me for a different reason and there’s no way to categorize and slim down the ways each one of you affect me but here’s a recap. If any or all of these pertain to you then just know that it’s about you and I love you. For listening to my rants, encouraging me to prioritize myself sometimes, for making me feel loved even when I question it, for accepting me, for understanding things about my life that I don’t think anyone else could, for the impulse decisions, for giving me a reason to get away and come see you for a weekend, for helping me realize that even though I am far from perfect, I still deserve someone who will love those aspects of me, for just sending me the most random pictures but still they somehow mean so much to me, for spilling all of the tea and just understanding what I’m thinking when my mouth is wide open in shock, for letting me just sleep when we are together because we’re both exhausted, for supporting me every step of the way throughout these last few years but this last one especially, for our shopping sprees that we regret 30 minutes later, for going to get food with me and just sitting in my car and eating it, for understanding the things I struggle with and accepting it, for our dance parties, letting me blast my music in the car, for listening to my worship music in the morning while I just lay there in adornment for God and the blessings He’s put in my life. To each and every one of you that has come in and out of my life and that I’ve known for varying amounts of time, thank you.

To him: All I have to say on here, is thank you. For the multiple chances you’ve given me and for the endless support you show. 

To God: Thank you for saving me and allowing me to be a part of Your kingdom. I have made so many mistakes, but through your love, encouragement, guidance and the path you’ve put me on as well as the people you’ve placed in my life, I’ve not only been forgiven, but I’ve grown closer to You. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice so that my sins are forgiven because between us, you know exactly how many times I have and every time, your relentless love ensures and overcomes. The open love and adornment, the drive to live my life even similarly to how You did is insane. To you Lord, thank you and I love you. Thank you for saving me.