Dear Mom (And Dad),

 The other day after reading my blog post about the impact Kendrick's performance had on me, my mother gave me her review as usual. She said that she really liked the post and that it was very well written. She was proud. That's such a great feeling. She then playfully added "It seems like you're inspired and moved by rappers all the time. Maybe if I want to have an impact on you I have to start a rap career. I guess your parents are chopped liver." We both laughed, it was a funny moment. But at that very moment I knew I would write something for her. Not to validate the impact that they've had on me, she's well aware of that. But it's nice to be able to reiterate and share that feeling. The only issue is that it's nearly impossible to encompass the impact my parents have had on me with but a mere blog post. No role model or influence in my life can even begin to compare to my parents. I idolize them in just about every way imaginable. I hope to one day achieve success as they have. To declare what I want and go get it as they have. They define the "relationship goals" everyone seems to be so caught up in today. People look up to celebrity couples just for being celebrities. I've lived with actual relationship goals for 21 years. They probably have no idea how much attention I'm paying, but I'm taking notes. I hope to be even half as great at parenting as they've been when I have children of my own. I've never taken them for granted, even at a young age I knew I had great parents and I appreciated that. When I was in 4th grade I was one of three kids on my bus who lived with both parents and I knew that meant a lot. But although I never took them for granted, the appreciation I had back then pales in comparison to how I feel now. The more I grow up, the more I understand the magnitude of what they've done/they do for me. I appreciate them for the simple fact that home has always been safe, even when I didn't want to be here. For the constant love and support, even though I was a chronic underachiever. I always knew that I could count on my parents. If a teacher was giving me problems at school I knew my mom would be face to face with whoever she felt she needed to speak to within one business day. My parents always had my back and they've always been by my side. Between getting older and watching how they raise my brother, I'm able to look back and see that even more clearly. For instance, when I was nine years old I randomly decided I wanted to play baseball. I was already playing basketball and football at the time and my dad was heavily invested in both. He had never played real baseball a day in his life. But as soon as I decided I wanted to play he signed me up and got me all of the equipment I would need, and a baseball glove for himself so he could practice with me. He went online and looked up drills that I could do. The next day we went to the park and he taped a box onto a fence, had me stand however many feet away little league regulation was at the time, and throw into the box until the sun went down. After about a week of doing various drills and him teaching me things he was just learning himself, I went to tryouts and the coach thought I'd been playing for years. I only played baseball for a year (Didn't have time due to basketball). My dad probably hasn't even said the word baseball in ten years. And it took me all of that time to realize that he became passionate about it simply because I wanted to do it. That's just the way my parents are and have always been. I truly believe in my heart of hearts that there isn't anything they wouldn't do for my brother and I. So mom, it's not that I don't see the love you've always had for me and understand the impact. And just because I'm not home as much doesn't mean I don't know that's where the heart is. I simply had to leave the nest to find my wings. I needed space and time to see and become the person that you always knew I was. I never believed you when you told me I was special. I thought moms were just supposed to say that. But looking back I see that you guys were always right all along about (almost) everything. I rarely speak on your impact because there are truly no words for it. I'm forever indebted for the values you instilled in me. You made me who I am, and I'm just learning to love myself. A wise man once said "There's no way I can pay you back, but my plan is to show you that I understand." And see that one line is quite key, I guess I can thank a rapper for that. But every time I go out to eat I thank you for teaching me to put the napkin on a my lap, those long nights as a kid with the nebulizer when I had asthma attacks or in high school when I had spasms and you held the pads on my back. I remember it all, even things you'd think I'd never seen. So I would like to take this chance to thank you, for everything. For believing I could fly, even before I found my wings.

And to anyone else who's still reading this, I guess the message here is to let someone know what they mean to you, even if it's understood. It never hurts to hear it and you may even make someone's day. There are few better feelings than being appreciated. The photo below is a text from Julian Levy, the smartest kid I've ever met who just so happens to not be a kid anymore. It made my day the other day because he was right, you really never know. So give someone that feeling. Go ahead, let them know. Spread that love.

#LetEmKnow2016

(He corrected typos shortly after btw)

- Swaggy T