Mom, so much of who I am comes from being your child, from growing up under your care. You made our house a warm, safe place to be where it was OK to make mistake and learn from them- a place filled with love. As I got older, I must have tested your patience often with my adolescent conviction that I had a grasp on the world you somehow missed, but you knew that I needed to make my own decisions. And somehow you managed to let me know that you'd always be there for me. Now all the things you're taught me over the years are a part of me. The choices I made and the way I look at life have so much to do with how I was raised. No one else could ever take the special place you have in my heart, Mom. I'll never forget all that you taught me when I was growing up. And I'll never grow too old for your love.

Dad, I know you. You don't wear your feeling around the outside for everyone to see. You don't feel you have to chatter a lot to be heard. You sometimes like to keep things to yourself. But you never fooled me, even once. Even though we hardly ever talked about feelings in so many words, I always knew how much you cared. I knew it in a million ways, by a million and one little things you did to let it show. And somehow I've always known that beneath that tough exterior was the most special, loving, and caring father in the world. So thanks for being just the way you are... you'll never know how much it meant to have a father just like you. And even though we don't often talk about feelings in so many words, I love you too...I always will.

Count the stars in a country sky... that's how many days I want to love you. Count the wild flowers in a summer prairie...that's how many ways I hope to please you. Count the snowflakes in a gentle snowfall... that's how many times I hope to be there when you need me. Count on me and my love is forever... for that's how long I pray we'll be together.