Blame it on the kids:

Both my sister and I went to private schools.  I went to Lawrence in Appleton and she went to Marquette.  My parents were so proud of us, especially when we both graduated, the first on either side of our families to go to four year universities.  They whole-heartedly supported our academic endeavors, while knowing the burden it would put on our family and the sacrifices we would all have to make.  My mom had to move from a part time job to a fulltime position and my dad worked many overtime hours to help us pay for as much as they could.  With the price of tuition at both our schools, their hard work got us only so far but our schooling on the other hand, got them big bills and near financial collapse.  They’ve given up so much for us and it’s time for us to give back to them with a sunny vacation.

My mother could use a vacation:

My mom’s 50th birthday was in July, and instead of the sunny beach in the Bahamas she always dreamed of for a birthday celebration, she got a hammock and 50 pink flamingoes in the front yard.  While a front yard hammock in Wisconsin in July with a margarita is a very near substitute for a sunny beach in a tropical place, I’m sure it wasn’t as spectacular as actually sitting in the sun surrounded by palm trees and the smell of Banana Boat sunscreen.  I know she wasn’t upset for not getting plane tickets as a present on her big day especially because everyone is suffering financially right now, but I do know if she did she  may have had a heart attack out of excitement (which may be a good thing she didn’t get a trip just then) especially since she’s always talked and dream about a 50th birthday celebration trip. My mom is fifty, she worked fulltime to help put me through college, and she needs a sunny destination vacation!

My dad needs a tan:

What can I say about my dad?  He’s always been there.  He coached every baseball/softball/soccer team of ours as we grew up.  He’s worked overtime nearly his entire life to support his kids’ excessive lifestyles and he’s pretty much the most self-sacrificing person in our family.  During his mid-life crisis stage he bought an old rundown Chevelle to restore in hopes of fulfilling his hot rod dreams.  He bought it off of Ebay in 2000.  Thanks to his kids, it still pretty much looks just as “vintage” as it did back then, holding the title of “Best Running Junker” for the last few years now at my high school’s auto show, and sporting a unique paint job known as rust.  My dad has worked in the same office building for the last 25 years, rarely getting days off, and the only tan he ever gets is a farmer’s tan from mowing our lawn.  He needs a golden tan on that ever-growing beer belly of his.  He’s given so much to us and now that money is tight and worries are high, he deserves a relaxing break and some fun in the sun.

They’ve been married forever:

Next May is my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary.  They got married young and could only afford a simple honeymoon to none other than Orlando….Yes, they went to Disney World to spend their honeymoon with the main mouse himself, Mickey.  In honor of their 30 years, and since neither my sister or I will be able to send/take them anymore spectacular or even throw a party for that matter with the loan payments we have, how perfect would it be to send them to Orlando to relive their happiest days at the happiest place on earth?! Too perfect obviously! 

Let’s recap: 

My mother dreams of sun, my dad could use some fun, and 30 years is a long marriage run!  Let’s send my most deserving and loving parents to Orlando in honor of being the best parents anyone could ever ask for.