I Am Not Me Without My Parents

(Originally published on Jan. 27, 2017)

This month my parents celebrated 30 years of marriage. 

For the first time in 30 years, they celebrated their anniversary by taking a vacation alone. They came back happier than I have seen them in the past few months regardless of the fact that days later the politics of our country would change.

I have always known my parent's love story to be complicated and imperfect. It has been the greatest gift watching them because they have shown me that marriage is more than just love. Marriage is a mixture of sacrifice, hard work, and unity. For my parents, family comes first no matter what. It has always been this way for them and this year they celebrate more than their marriage. The biggest lesson that I have learned, especially in recent months, watching my parents is this:

I am not me without my parents.

Thirty years ago my parents moved to California from Mexico City at the ages of nineteen and twenty-one. As a twenty-three year old, I am in awe of my parents ambition, hard work, and drive to move away from home to start anew. I will always be in awe of the fact they gave up everything in order to give my siblings and I anything we dreamed. Especially because they did it with no family, a few dollars, and just their will to make it in America. 

I am not me without my parents.

In thirty years, my parents learned a new language, raised three children who would later graduate from college, and became part of a community they now call home. They worked all types of jobs for long hours in order to make sure my siblings and I went to the best schools, experienced summer camp, traveled with our friends during spring break, played soccer, learned a new instrument, or collected Barbies as a child. These small job opportunities would eventually lead to my dad starting his own business and my mom to her dream job. Thirty years later, they continue to work hard and keep building their life here.

I am not me without my parents.

In thirty years, my parents faced economic hardships but managed to send me to private school and college. I still try to wrap my head around this fact. In thirty years, my parents struggled with their marriage but looked at the faces of my siblings and I and said "yes, we will work at this for you." In thirty years, my parents never let us forget where we come from and who we are meant to be. They have shown us that failures are okay, but you must pick yourself up again.

I am not me without my parents.

In twenty-three years, I have learned stories of my parent's childhood, their secrets, their fears and sorrows, their happinesses, and their dreams. I am still learning and they continue to teach me. In twenty-three years, I have become someone who is proud to be a first-generation Mexican-American who speaks two languages, who grew up along the border of two different cultures, and is a daughter of immigrants. I am lucky to have parents who have shown me what it's like to love unconditionally, what it's like to work hard in order to succeed, and what it's like to be proud of who you are. 

I am not me without my parents.

I am me. I am someone who honors the hard work and ambition of all immigrants looking for a better life. I am someone who will fight for you and use my voice to elevate your presence in this world. I am someone who admires you because you remind me of my parents and everything they have done for me. I see you. I appreciate you. I am here for you. 

I am forever grateful for my parents. I am proud of who they are and continue to be. I am who I am because of you. 

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I love you.