Dear Mom & Dad, 

I have a lot to say to you guys and I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to say everything I need to in this letter. I have so much to say about everything that has happened. I mean, I’m alive because of you. I don’t think I could explain how thankful I am for how you’ve literally saved my life over and over again.

You’ve always had a special place in my heart. I have looked up to you as role models since I was a kid. Mom, you’ve always been ferocious; and Dad, you inspired me to love with my whole heart. I wanted to take that ferociousness and that wholeheartedness and be a person that would make you proud. I wanted to be strong like you taught me. I always had high expectations of myself and I’m not totally sure why.

Today, you’ve been together for 30 years. Wow. I’ve had the privilege of growing up with parents who love each other. I feel so lucky to have role models on what real love looks like. I watched my parents fight – sometimes even shouting at each other – and at the end of the day, it brought me peace to always see you sitting together reading or watching tv together. I love you for showing me that real love doesn’t always look like a fairytale ending, but like anything, if you work at it, it can be more magical that any other power in the world. I’m so thankful to be your daughter and to have been able to have that example for myself. Thank you.

Thank you for advocating for me when I didn’t have a voice. Because of your determination to fight my eating disorder, I made the decision to get help and now I have an opportunity to experience every aspect of that magic that I got to witness growing up. I have the chance to wake-up every morning and see his face smiling at me. I hope we have 30 years of magic together because the 4 I’ve had with him isn’t enough. I love the way he leaves his socks all around our apartment; I love the way he teases the other players in League of Legends; I love how he kisses my forehead to make me feel safe; and I love being able to see a future with him, because there is no future without him. Thank you for teaching me to appreciate those around me, to love ferociously, and to never give up on what I want. I wouldn’t be who I am without you.

I love you Mom & Dad. I love you so much.

Thank you. xo.

HAUS of HAIRROR, Jennifer Walton