Day 4: Your parents
My parents are two of the most important and influential people in my life. My parents have been married for 26 years and are still happy and in love. Being in the house with our family sometimes you may question the love we have for each other but we are just a bit different in the way we show our love. We tend to complain about the others as a form of worry. My father is a brave man, having shared a home with three women for almost 23 years now. So let's start with him.
My dad is a good man. He has a hard time showing his love for others and does it in a way that is all his own. He yells and criticizes and sometimes hurts feelings in the process but deep down I know he does it because he loves me and his family. I am his baby and the fact that I am overly sensitive and emotional is really difficult for him. He brings me to tears by stating an opinion if I am in the wrong mood. Always he comes after me, sometimes with tears in his eyes, to apologize and tell me he loves me. His love is a kind that is not easily recognized, sometimes it is too harsh or almost hidden but then he turns around and does what he just complained about. He is the kind of guy who doesn't understand why you need a car at college but then turns around and surprises you with one of your very own. He is the kind of man who says the dog will do find with hard food even though she is having a hard time chewing and turn around and buy her soft dog food. He is the kind of man who though he disagrees with my decision to get married without my life fully figured out will offer the money for the deposit on the hall because he knows it is important to me and that I am smarter than he may think. My dad and I have very similar, stubborn personalities which causes us to clash almost constantly but that doesn't mean we don't love each other. He has given me everything I have ever needed and more. He doesn't hesitate to help me, whatever the situation may be.
My mom is my rock. She keeps me grounded and realistic. She is a solitary person and I am not which sometimes makes it hard for her to understand where I am coming from but she will listen. I know that I could call her at any time and she would talk to me even if it was just because I couldn't sleep. She has always believed in me and been unashamed at being proud of me for being the person I am and what I have accomplished. Over the last couple of years I have watched my mom come out of her shell and become a woman with a voice. she has lost around 100 pounds and learned to speak up for what she wants. Growing up I remember vividly her struggle with speaking for herself but now that is no issue. She isn't afraid to go for what she wants and let people know it. Her growth has given her the strength to help me pull through some tough times in my life. My mom is funny when she wants to be and crabby when she wants to be. There are days she doesn't want to take crap and days I feel she takes too much crap. I remember vividly seeing my mom after high school graduation and reaching out to hug her and both of us started to cry. I knew she had never been more proud of me than that moment. That is one of my most vivid memories and I think it always will be.
My parents as a team are some of the best you could ask for. Their marriage is an inspiration to me and I only hope Matt and I will be as happy as they are together.
