Happy New Year!

Love.

The world over, people look for that one word. That feeling that they have wanted to have ever since they saw their first romantic comedy, or ever since they saw that passionate look their parents shared. It’s the feeling that unites humanity, but just as easily, breaks it. It is a common life goal to have and now success is defined by love as well. That flutter in your heart when you get a text, that feeling of assurance, that sense of familiarity when you read love stories, that sense of commonality when you look at posts about relationships. That smile, that strength. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you want it.

Movies are one of the biggest advocates of this quest for love. The way Jack gives up his life for Rose at the end of Titanic, or Harry finally comes and kisses Sally on New Year’s in When Harry Met Sally, makes finding love so glamorous, and so important. Because to be find love is to be happy and to be happy is to be in love.

But movies don’t really show another kind of love, a kind of love that is not given as much importance or fervor by people because it is taken for granted. Familial love. The love that your parents give you; your true support system, your friends and family isn’t as sensationalized. But in reality, that is what holds the most importance in a person’s life, and it is only if someone were to take this “guaranteed” thing away that people would understand.

I am lucky though, I’ve realized. I want to take this opportunity to explain the importance of my parents. It is only this year that I have truly matured enough to understand the value you have in my life. Whether it’s picking me up from parties, or always unfailingly trying to get me to smile, your effort has never been truly appreciated, until now. I believe the world is an easy place to live in, and deluded as I might sound, it’s because you have given me the strength to believe I can handle any obstacle that comes my way. I’ve always been a sort of realist, but I can’t wait for my own movie love, just because I know it can be real, seeing you two together. Thank you for the freedom you give me and the amount of trust you have in me. Thank you for standing behind me no matter what, teaching me what’s right but always defending me. Thank you for showering me with unconditional love, despite my unwarranted and constant annoyance. You’ve been the brother and sister I’ve never had, and you instil a deep sense of confidence in me that could never have been done by anyone or anything else. Thank you for letting me grow into who I want to be, and giving me the freedom to make my own choices, but yet keeping an eye on me, so that I would never feel completely alone.

This is going to be a very different year from the last 17.  Your little girl will officially be an adult and college beckons. I don’t know where life will take me and I don’t know what I will become. But one thing I do know; if 30 years later, I inspire my little girl and she respects and loves me half the amount I do you, I would count myself as a success. I promise, Mom and Dad, for these, and so many other countless reasons, I will never let you go. Happy New Year.