I never heard my dad swear or raise his voice. My entire life, he’s been an example of what a father should be. Through the years we have become very close friends. I call my parents everyday, to tell them about my victories, my concerns, big things and small. My mom is my biggest cheerleader, my best friend, and has been everything I could have asked for in a parent.

I call my sister everyday too… Just yesterday she helped me pick out a new pair of tennis shoes. I’m so thankful for text messages, and iphones, and Facetime. I wonder how different it would be to live so far away if I couldn’t reach my family within seconds. 

As I get older I can’t help but think of having a family of my own. My parents have given me such a beautiful example of what “family” means, and what I want my children to have. For the rest of my life, I will take with me this legacy: Faith in God, Love, gentleness, friendship, time together, values, ethics… I would take this over any riches of the world.