Today we’d like to take a moment to applaud the parents who despite many challenges, did they best they could and did right by their kids. We asked folks to share stories of what they feel their parents got right and have shared highlights below.

Jessica Shea

To my Dad, I credit all of my entrepreneurial spirit; he owned his own interior painting and construction company for almost 20 years and succeeded almost entirely from word of mouth/referral business. This is a testament to his customer service and immaculate ability to build a rapport with any client, exceed expectations and leave behind an experience, not a product. He emphasized frequently how important the golden rule was, and I would often seek his advice on how to handle tough situations. He’d usually segue into a funny anecdote that was also somehow a life lesson. Read more>>

Owen Devalk

It’s so easy to think about all the way your parents hindered you or your creative spirit growing up. While my parents and childhood experience were far from perfect, they recognized what ignited passion inside me and fanned the flame. Looking back, I wasn’t the most talented photographer at the beginning, but they championed my work because it’s what made me happy. I wasn’t gifted in other artistic mediums, but-like other teenagers- still had so many sentiments that needed to be expressed. Photography was the format that best suited me and the only thing I could never get tired of.  Read more>>

Myles Warden

I believe my mother gave me the confidence and the wisdom to be my full, unique self and not worry about the rest of the world’s opinions or expectations. I’ve always been unapologetically me, which has given me the strength and courage to pursue such a difficult career that doesn’t necessarily have a clear path. My faith and confidence have never waivered regardless of what Hollywood has thrown at me or how long it took to become a professional writer and that’s also because of what my mother taught me. Read more>>

Anai Gutierrez

By instilling values and morals, they helped give me a solid foundation for making decisions and understanding the world. Teaching me to stay true to myself was crucial for building confidence and resilience. They provided and continue to provide amazing support showing that they are there for me through both the highs and lows, which is invaluable for personal growth. All these elements combined contributed to a strong sense of self and a positive outlook on life. Read more>>

Dr. Tricia Marquez

My parents divorced when I was 8 years old. Being raised by a single mom taught me so much and has led to who I am today. My mom raised 3 girls on her own. So much credit and admiration must be given to this woman. It was a very difficult divorce leaving her to start over. For a lot of people this may have stopped them from achieving their dreams. My mom had always wanted to be a nurse, so while raising 3 girls on her own, she went on to receive her nursing degree, followed by 2 masters degrees. I am the oldest, so therefore I was able to witness all that she went through and all that she did to provide for us. Read more>>

Heather Heitzenrater

My parents always supported me in whatever I wanted to do. My mom started to put me in different activities as a kid to see what clicked with me. I always came back to art or anything creative. I grew up in a small town and there weren’t too many art classes. When I was around 8, our local historical society started to run creative workshops for kids. I took so many of those classes. When we started to get older the teacher decided to host more in-depth art workshops on weekends. My parents made sure I was signed up for every one of them. Read more>>

Terrall Tillman

My parents instilled spirituality, respect and independence in me. I was raised to respect others, have faith and manners wherever I travel in life. The qualities, ethics and morals my parents instilled in me are still with me to this day and have been very instrumental in my personal development. As I grew older, I learned how to utilize those attributes that were instilled in me. Having the strongest faith ever, continuing to be independent, having my own housing, transportation and multiple businesses along with being a selfless community advocate and loving parent and family member. Read more>>

Laquelle Mills

I know the one thing any parent would want to hear is that “You did a good job”! I am so grateful for the life and opportunities afforded to me from my youth into my adult years. I grew up as a navy brat (lol), that’s what I like to tell myself. Even though my brother, mom and I did not move around a lot as my father traveled the seas, they did expose my brother and I to a lot of activities, friends and family! Family and community was huge in my household. I loved watching my mom throw dinner parties together or even curate family moments where all my aunts, uncles and cousin came to. Read more>>

Dr. Whitney Trotter

My parents did so much right, and their influence has shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally. As biracial daughters, my sister and I were raised in a home where our identities were celebrated, and our dreams were always supported. My parents made it a priority to teach us about both sides of our heritage, instilling in us a strong sense of pride in our multicultural background. Read more>>

Theo Hansen

For background, I grew up with a rough family life; we were poor, my parents were in and out of trouble, and other families showed us pity. Art quickly became an outlet for me. I used my creativity and emotion to inspire and create, which translates into all areas of my art. The thing my parents did right was to continue to support these big ideas. When every other adult would say, “Okay, but being an artist isn’t really realistic”, my parents continued to tell me how amazing my work was, showed me new skills, and continue to support me. They never told me I couldn’t, or that it was unrealistic. Read more>>

Dheeraj Varandani

For most of my childhood, I lived in the small Indian town of Sirohi, where technology felt like a distant dream. But everything changed in first grade when my dad brought home an Intel Pentium 3 desktop computer—a rare sight in our town. This new gadget opened a world of possibilities for my endlessly curious mind. By fourth grade, I was already delving into software, HTML, and typing in various languages. While my dad ‘s support fueled my creativity, my mom always instilled the values of hard work, discipline and sincerity in me; waking up at 4am with me during the exam seasons to make sure I have time for the revisions in the morning. Read more>>

Alison Jones

My parents lived a life of service, always looking for ways to brighten someone else’s day, no matter how small the gesture. This commitment to serving others became the foundation of my own life and career, profoundly shaping the way I view the world and my role in it. For most of his life, my dad was devoted to visiting people in hospitals and nursing homes. He spent time with those who had undergone surgery or were facing health crises, elderly individuals who felt alone and perhaps forgotten, and families welcoming a new baby into the world. Read more>>

Kyndel Shalae

I am blessed to have the most amazing and supportive parents in the world. Ever since I was young they have poured into my creativity and made sure they were a prime example of having a strong work ethic. Neither of them have an artistic bone in their body (I say that with truth and love) but they never limited me from pursuing the arts. They would get the latest art sets and sewing machines, so that I was able to practice my skills at a young age. My parents have worked in the banking field for many years to ensure they were able to properly provide for my siblings and I. Read more>>