They are the two people who are always there for me; no matter if I have just skinned my knee or just gotten my heart broken. They are my best friends and my rocks, but most importantly they are my parents.

My parents have to be the two most influential people in my life. I can not think of a time when my parents have not been there for me. I know they think I don’t listen and that I would rather be with my friends then them, but the truth is I love the time we spend together as a family. Yea, I know that it sounds dorky, but I actually enjoy going out to lunch and hanging out with my parents. In today’s society so many children come from broken families, so I feel so blessed to have my intact. Of course, we have our arguments as all families do, but we never stay mad at each other for long. I know that when I am married, with a family of my own, I will think of the values they have instilled in me and try my best to do the same for my children.

All little girls say there dad is their hero, but my dad is more of a conqueror. He is the one who conquered all the monsters under the bed and he is the one who puts fear in any and all boys who come near his little baby girl. It’s true, he can be a little overprotective, but I like to think it is his way of showing he cares. He tells me stories, of how he would come in my room when I was a baby and play video games while I was sleeping. He might have been playing video games, but I know he came in just to check on his baby girl. In fact, I think now, even sixteen years later, he still watches me sleep sometimes.

When I think of the most influential women in my life, my mom is the person who comes to mind. She has been through so much in her life, but she is still always willing to help others. She is my best friend in the world, and I talk to her about anything and everything. We have actually stayed up till 3 a.m. before, just talking about life. She always listens and gives me just enough of her words and wisdom, but still lets me make the final decision in what I will do. Some things will never change, but I probably give my parents a lot more headaches now then when I was a little girl. We argue over the ridiculous little stuff now, like curfew, boys, whose right, whose wrong, and all other things that really have no meaning. The one thing that will always stay constant is our love for one another. I’m sure we will all cry when I go off to college and when my dad walks me down the aisle, but I will always know they are there for me and that I can come to them whenever I need them.