To my Mom and Dad...

Today is my Mom and Dad's 37th anniversary. It's also my friends Keith and Danielle's anniversary. And Mike and Shannon's is the week, too. Keith & Danielle, Mike & Shannon - Happy Anniversary! But this blog goes out to my parents.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to have the parents I have. I kinda think anyone who isn't a Flegal missed out. So, I am taking advantage of today and telling the world just a few of the reasons my parents are amazing.

They taught my sisters and I to shoot for our dreams. And to do all of the hard word required in acheiving them.

My Dad taught us how to ride a bike and drive a car. He tried to teach me math - which is possibly one of the biggest challenges he has ever taken on! He made sure my sisters and I knew we could do anything - and he taught us how to do a lot of it.

My Mom packed our school lunches every day until we graduated from high school. And she put little post-it notes in them telling us she loved us. I still get post-it notes like that in my care packages.

My parents provided a pretty darn good example of marriage. Perhaps too good. My sisters and I hold up what they have as what we want when we settle down. Wanting to find what my Mom and Dad have may be the reason the Flegal girls are still unwed. But we will never compromise this particular ideal - and we believe we will find it.

They taught us responsibility and integrity. They taught us to own up to our mistakes and learn from them.

They survived our mistakes and screw ups.

My Dad gets the giggles. My Mom dances to the sound of the dishwasher. They taught us to be silly and find joy in the very simple things.

They taught us always to do our best. Never to do things half way.

My Dad coined the phrase that my family now uses to end every phone call, email, letter, text message, any kind of conversation, or just when we are leaving the house. No Flegal conversation would be complete without "Love you and Hey."

They always make sure we know how valued and loved we are and to believe in ourselves.

They are taking care of my cat while I am in Azerbaijan. I'm beginning to think I will have to fight my Dad to get her back!

They showed us how important it is to do good in the world. To be good to others. To take care of the people we love.

Without them, I wouldn't have had the courage to go halfway across the world. Or the strength to survive the year I've been here.

My Mom and Dad are two of the greatest people in the world. And I think they are definitely the best parents a girl could ask for.

Mom and Dad, thank you for getting married a long time ago. I love you both very much and I am so proud to be your daughter. Love you and Hey!