Parenting

"Good parenting, while very challenging at times, offers great potential for happiness."
-Parenting | Responsibilities of Parents to Their Children, lds.org

When we hear the word "Parents," what comes to your mind?
You probably thought of that time as a kid, whether by yourself or with your siblings, hearing your mom's voice yelling at you as you throw the oranges you just knocked off of the orange tree at the side of your house.
Or maybe you thought of the shopping and ice-cream runs your mommy and/or daddy took you on after school.
Or possibly the time your parent(s) pulled up to the curb on your first day of high school, asking if you remembered your lunch bag and reminding you how much they love you.
Or, was it the time you broke up with that girlfriend or boyfriend, coming home in tears, only to find your parents sitting there, waiting to embrace you and remind you of your love and worth?

Whatever it may be- I have found that the older you get, the more and more you value your experiences you've had with your parents. Whether it was a hard time I had to go through next to them, or by myself, I realized that they'd always be there for me.

The reason we have so much respect and love for our parents, is because of the many hard times and obstacles we've had to overcome. It is through these hard times that we truly realized their love for us- and also realized that this love was infinite and unconditional. It's the type of love and comfort that I can only explain, by saying it never goes to sleep, is never based on conditions, and is never, ever failing. I have felt my parents' love for me for almost 20 years now.
It's the type of love that I can count on, when I call my mom at midnight, 900 miles away, even though I know she wants to be asleep. I can call her when I get home from my date and tell her how fun and exciting it was- and she is excited with me, even though her voice is groggy and tired. Even more, it's the type of love that I feel when I can call her or my dad late at night, after a bad date, or when I'm in tears for just having my heart broken. Their unfailing, unconditional love and care for me is felt over the phone. The personal experiences I have had with my mom and dad make them so respectable and loved deeply by me, because they teach me what life truly is about. The lessons they have taught me- about how to work hard, love and enjoy life, and be a better person for myself and everyone around me- are the reason that my life is the way it is. They are the ones who have guided me through the good and bad, teaching me how to make the best out of life.
So, parents... even if we may think they are "unfair" and "mean" for not letting us drive their car to our friends house, or having a sleep over... the older you get, I think the more you value their relationship. It truly is a friendship that never ceases or fails you- it is one that is there during the rain, sunshine, or wind. One that is unconditional, unfailing, and ever lasting. One, that is simply priceless, and one that I will cherish forever.