My Favorite People

   This weekend I get to spend time with some of my favorite people in the whole world: my mom and dad. For those of you who didn't know, I kind of have the best parents ever. My mom is a middle school math teacher and my dad works for the Farm Service Agency.
   My parents got married almost thirty years ago and are still going strong. They met at West Texas A&M University, the same school were I got my degree. They got married in the chapel on campus. I used to love to go inside the chapel, which was right outside my dorm room, and think about how my whole future began there. My mom and dad are gross. We are talking PDA gross. (that's Public Displays of Affection not Personal Digital Assistant) I have even had other people comment on how "sweet" they are. Don't get me wrong, I am really glad that my parents are in love. They have been a great example for me and my sisters.
   I remember one time while I was in high school, my mom and I got into a fight. I don't even remember what we were arguing about. All I remember is I was convinced I was right and she wasn't listening to my side. Normally, my mom and I both prefer to ignore problems rather than deal with conflict. Like I said, I don't remember why this was so different. I had just raised my voice to yell over my mom so that she would have to HEAR me when my dad comes home. He looks from me to my mom back to me and says "Go to your room now." I think I said something like, "But Dad you don't understand." However, I do remember what my dad said and probably will for the rest of my life. He said, "I don't care. In this house, your mom is queen and she will be treated like a queen." At the time, I was furious, but, after I went to my room and pouted, I realized that my dad would always defend my mom. That kind of devotion was astounding to me and I knew that when I looked for a husband I wanted someone who would stand by me like that.
   Mom and I are a lot alike. Dad says we are carbon copies but that isn't entirely true. I'm more emotional. Other than that, we are alike. We think alike. It makes us a great team in games like 42. We were both married  young and both enjoy teaching and working with kids. We also both know that nothing is better after a hard day than swimming laps in a swimming pool. My mom is my rock. She is brave and confident and always reminds me that everything will be okay and I don't have to be perfect. (Even though I really, REALLY want to be)
   If my mom is my rock, my dad is the soft spot I land. He gives the best hugs. Anytime I am with him I'm attached like a little tick. As long as I can remember my favorite spot has been in my daddy's lap. He still holds me anytime I am home. When we were younger, Daddy would take my sisters and me camping, just us and Daddy. He would take us fishing and help us fix supper. I loved making him smile with the way I "fish". (throw the hook out there, put the pole down, go talk to all the other people who were fishing and if the pole moved by the time I got back, I had a fish) I think it probably drove him nuts, but he let me be me.
   Needless to say, all you people who thought your parents were the best were wrong. I win and I can't wait to see them tomorrow!!!!! XOXO to all of you!