Their bags are packed. Many are leaving home — some forever.

As they prepare to enter the next stage of their lives, many recent high-school graduates have spent the past several months juggling their emotions before college begins. I'm sure their parents have, too.

Recently I had an opportunity to talk to one of my former students, Leah Stoner. Leah leaves Wednesday for Temple University, where she'll study journalism. She wanted to pass along a few words to her parents — and to all parents whose babies are leaving home.

***

Dear Mom and Dad,

Here we are. The big day. I'm leaving the nest. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I'm guessing you feel the same way.

It seems like just yesterday Dad was chasing after me on my pink bike, while I rolled unwillingly down the street without my training wheels. Even though I didn't think I was ready, you knew I would succeed.

I think I have everything I need to start a life on my own. I'll remember not to mix darks with lights, Mom. And Dad, I have all the tools I'll need to fix a leaky faucet.

Remember all the shopping we had to do, Mom, to get everything for college? I'll never be able to find a better shopping partner. Thanks for helping me assemble the shelving unit for my dorm, Dad. Of course, you're an expert at putting things together for me ... all those Christmas mornings we had you assembling swing sets and dollhouses and racetracks and ...

I owe both of you a lot for everything you've done for me over these last 18 years. After the diaper changings, temper tantrums and teenage blues (and EVERYTHING in between), you still stuck by me. You were always there when I needed advice, but you also taught me to solve my problems on my own.

Throughout my school years, you made it to every important game and every big performance — even if you did fall asleep at some of those elementary talent shows, Dad. And even if I didn't win my game, or when I fell on stage, you still gave me a pat on the back.

I know we've had our share of disagreements over the years — when I couldn't go to Shirley's birthday party because we had a family reunion or when I couldn't get my ear pierced again, even though everyone else was doing it. Looking back I realize you were just looking out for my best interests. (I promised I'd never admit this, but I'm actually glad you didn't let me get that second piercing.)

You both tell me how proud you are of me all the time, but I never tell you, even though I probably think of it every day. I know it is the parents' job to shower their children with praise, but since I am the one leaving, I should get to tell you both how thankful I am to have you.

You are the greatest parents anyone could ever have. I thank you for going to work every day, even when you didn't want to, so you could give me everything I needed when I was growing up ... everything I needed to succeed. Even now, even though you don't say it, I know you are postponing your lifelong dreams to help me get started on my own. I thank you.

I also thank you for the little things. I thank you for every time you made me clean my room or do the laundry. Now I know how to take care of myself. I thank you for every time you packed my lunch for school. And speaking of school, I really did enjoy when you chaperoned my field trips and events. Remember the farm in fourth grade? The trip to the trash dump in seventh? How about the middle-school band dance? There were many others, of course. Thank you.

I thank you for every night you stayed up with me while I was sick, especially when I had the chicken pox. I thank you for never being too tired to care. That is why I love you both more than anything in the world.

So here I go again, Mom and Dad. I'm rolling away without training wheels. But I'm not as scared this time, because I know you have prepared me for this day. You would never let me go without my training wheels if you knew I wasn't ready.

I am ready. Soon I'll be starting college. Once you drop me off and help me unpack my things, you will probably tell me how proud you are of me. But the truth is, even if I don't say it, I will be thinking just how proud I am of both of you.