2/6/1997….
I don’t know where to begin. To think a simple blog would be able to express the love I have for you two or how thankful I am is not possible.
You have both raised me to be the strong and fearless woman I am now and looking back there aren’t enough words in the world to thank y’all for all the life lessons, and words of wisdom you’ve given me.
Can you believe your curly haired, sassy girl is 21???
We’ve come a long way from bows in my hair, but 2 or 21 I’ll always be your little girl.
So here’s to you Marissa and Bobby, just a few of the things I couldn’t thank you enough for and all the lessons I’ll take with me forever.
Dad,
Thank you for making me strong.
Thank you for always teaching me how to stand my ground, and stand up for what I believe in.
Thank you for singing in every public place we have ever been, and not stopping when I ask, I learned life is too short to be serious all the time (I miss singing Toby Keith in the kitchen with you)
Thank you for raising me to respect others, especially those fighting for my freedom or wearing a badge
Thank you for my love of politics
Thank you for making me southern to the core
Thank you for my love of hunting and making my perfect aim intimidating
Thank you for trying all the food I make and saying its good even when we both know it’s not
Thank you for all the quotes I couldn’t forget if I tried, (some useful, some not)
-“The only thing you can do wrong when baking cookies is…. to over cook them”
-“you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend nose”
-Carly: “my back hurts”
Bobby Earl: “How’s your face? Cause it’s killing me”
-“I hate rude behavior in a man, I won’t stand it”
-“Be careful who you step on on the ladder up, because it’s a long way back down”
Thank you for never failing to scream on the sideline of every sport I’ve ever played even when you have no idea what was actually happening (actually this is mom too)
Thank you for the constant laughter around a table, in the car, or just sitting on the couch
Thank you for always fixing my car
Thank you for my killer dance moves
Thank you for ruining restaurant steak because no one can compare to yours
Thank you for teaching me to be a hard worker in everything I do
Thank you for your unfailing love
And lastly,
Thank you for supporting my dreams and being the best dad in the world
Mom,
Thank you for being my best friend
Thank you for being the reason behind my voice
Thank you for giving me my love of clothes and letting me re-dress you when I don’t like your outfit
Thank you for always giving me advice no matter the situation
Thank you for listening to me and telling me what I need to hear (even when I don’t want to listen to it)
Thank you for speaking love over me constantly
Thank you for being my concert buddy, road trip partner, and my favorite person to go out to eat with
Thank you for slowly making me your “mini me” and giving me your killer looks (with dads genes)
Thank you for making my lunch everyday from kindergarten to senior year and cooking almost every night for us. You rockkkkk
Thank you for showing me the importance of family
Thank you for protecting me and my heart even when I couldn’t see it at the time
Thank you for always having my back
Thank you for being the forever “cool mom”
Thank you for being my biggest fan in whatever I’m doing
Thank you for taking the good time with the bad, I know I’m a handful
Thank you for driving to Lubbock to see me what felt like every single weekend and only being able to stay for a day
Thank you for putting up with my attitude alllllll the time
Thank you for growing my love of cooking and always being willing to cook with me when I ask
Thank you for giving me your gracious and caring heart towards others
Thank you for allowing me to chase my dream all over the world and giving me the freedom to be who I am
Thank you for being a role model
Thank you for your unfailing love
And lastly,
Thank you for being my mom and pushing me to who I am today
I don’t know where I would be without you two.
I know everyone says their parents are the best, but I’ve gotten the chance to brag over you plenty of times throughout this race to know you two are the GREATEST parents.
I wasn’t always the easiest child to raise, but you did your best in everything and looking at myself now I can say y’all did a heck of a job.
I love you two more than words could express and I know I couldn’t ever thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me and Jake, but I hope this got close.
So to you Marissa and Bobby Earl,
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!
Love,
Carlita
Your not so little, but still little girl
