Less than 24 hours...

So, after 24 years together - I have less than 24 hours left with my parents as "roommates." I must say, I am quite sad. I've tried to hide it - and I think I've done a pretty good job at it. I have no reason to hide it, but I think I was trying to spare feelings for my mom and dad. I'm a daddy's girl and my mom is my best friend. If I was strong and excited, it would make them feel the same way! I now see that there is no logic behind that line reasoning because it probably made me seem as if I wasn't going to miss them. Over the past 24 years, we have been through so much together. They think that I've turned out to be an amazing person and I'm thrilled that I have made them proud. But seriously - they do not give themselves nearly enough credit. They say they weren't good people - but bad people don't raise good daughters! They have always been patient with me (and if they weren't patient, they probably had reason not to be!). They have always respected me and my personal space - and I am a very difficult person with everchanging boundaries - I mean, for 3-4 years, I would barely hug either one of them. Hugging still isn't big - but it's also no longer an ISSUE. It used to be an issue...

I am a very lucky girl. Even as I sit here, with so little time left, I watch both of them sound asleep on the couch and I miss them already. I'm still here - but I feel like I have already moved. So many memories come to mind when I look back. Most of my memories start in Illinois. I remember 9th street and Nora like yesterday. In Springfield, I became my dad's little slugger... we'd go outside and play catch together (although mostly I was chasing the ball because I couldn't catch and my dad was chasing the ball because I couldn't throw). I remember telling my third grade teacher that my dad would not ALLOW me to do my homework (that's why it wasn't even started...). They called my parents. I got in trouble ... But before school - if I was up and ready to go by 7am-ish, then I would get to go to Mel-o-Cream. Best donuts! Even better than Krispy Kreme ... Sometimes I even got McDonald's breakfast burritos.

Then, they made me move... I didn't so much mind once I got settled in. Nora Street. Farmersville. Kyle Harvey. He was my neighbor and my best friend ... we spent all of our time together. My parents loved him and his older sister - so I spent a lot of time there. When I was at home, we share our time with Chance - the best Lab in the world (at that time). This was the first all girl's sleepover, tent party I ever had ... and well, last. But I will NOT go into the embarrassing details - let's just say I referenced Adam and Eve to try and get out of trouble!

Then we moved again - to Studebaker Avenue. So many memories ... this is where I spent most of my years growing up. This is where my parents really began to shape who I am today. We had nearly all of our fights and disagreements in this house. We lost many best friends (animals) here. My parents allowed me to date for the first time while living in this house. I got my first curfew here and I got driven home after drinking WAY too much here ... I made new friends and became a little bit more "cool" here. But what is "cool?" MY PARENTS. They were cool. I got my first car here (and it was followed by many more). I had my first real relationship at this house and he was welcome at any time (until he "broke my heart."). Then - he wasn't welcome because my dad doesn't stand for the breakage of my heart ... what dad would? I left for college ... I came to visit ... Dustin came to visit ... a gun was brought out ... Dustin stuck around.

Now, we're back in Springfield - where it started 18 years ago. I wish could remember California - but I cannot. So for me, my memories with my parents begin and end in Springfield, Illinois. They don't end, but they do change from here on out ... now I will be visiting. I will not be "living" here. Tomorrow I leave and head for a new place - somewhere new and in uncharted territory. My parents will always be wonderful people and they will always be a part of my life - even if its from 400 miles away. Their opinions matter to me and their opinion of me will always remain the most important. I love them. When I think of them, I think of a song sung by Faith Hill...

Daddy take me with you
I promise I'll be good
Daddy, this is next time
And momma said I could

Sittin' in the front seat ridin' down town
An icecream cone
I'd wrap him around
My little finger
Tighter then my baby could

You can make a tear go a long long way
When you're daddy's little girl

Well he tightened my bike chain from 7 to 13
Taught me to drive when I was a wild thing
Reached and he prayed while I made some mistakes
That I wouldn't have made if I'd have done it his way

Now he hugs me when he sees me
We talk about the past
He tries to give me money
And I try and give it back

He's a book of advice
More then I need
The look in his eyes is saying to me
Let me help you all I can
While I'm still in this world
What will you do when you're daddy's gone
And you're daddy's little girl

I'll always be "daddy's little girl." ... And I know my tears will always work!!!