Ko koe tōku ariaritanga, ko koe tōku ruruhau.

Ciara-June Edwards (she/her) - Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou

Since the day I was born, my mum and dad have been my best friends—obviously. They have loved me, supported me, and believed in me through every chapter of my life, from Tauranga to Rarotonga, to London, and all the way back around the world again.

They raised my siblings and me with everything we could have ever needed, but more importantly, they gave us everything they never had. They pushed us to take every opportunity, to dream bigger, to see the world, and to become people they could be proud of. They gave us a childhood filled with love, laughter, adventure, and memories I know I will spend the rest of my life being grateful for.

No one will ever be as cool as my mum and dad.

They spoiled us rotten, but somehow still left enough room to kick us up the arse when we needed it. And if I'm completely honest, I didn't want to move away from them at first. The thought of stepping into adulthood without my mum holding my hand and my dad there to lift me up seemed like an absolute nightmare. 

I don't think I would have made it through my first year in the capital if Mum hadn't called me every single night just to make sure I was okay. No matter how far away I was, hearing her voice reminded me that I was never really alone.

I don't think I would have stayed here for this long without Dad picking up the phone whenever I called, especially when he was working nights, to listen to whatever crisis I had created that week and inevitably tell me off for my “reckless” spending. Somehow, even when he was giving me grief, he made everything feel a little less scary.

And on rainy days, the really hard ones, when I'm overwhelmed and exhausted and want to quit everything, pack a bag, and come home, are those who keep me going.

Because no matter how old I get, a part of me will always need my mum and dad.

When I grow up, I want to be like my mum. I want to be as strong as her. As resilient. As intelligent. As kind. I want to have even a fraction of the strength she has carried so effortlessly throughout her life. I see you, Mum. When I grow up, I want to be like my dad. I want to be as driven as him, as confident, as hardworking, and most importantly, as funny.

They have spent their entire lives making sure my siblings and I had the chance to build a life for us and making that happen. And I don't think I will ever be able to put into words just how much that means to me. My mum and dad aren't just my parents. They are my home. They are the people I call when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I need advice, when I've fucked up, and when I simply need to hear a familiar voice.

And if I could choose my parents in every single lifetime, in every possible universe, through every version of my life I would choose them.

Every. Single. Time.

No one in the whole wide universe could ever replace my mum and dad.

No one will ever be as cool as them.

And no matter how far I go, how old I get, or how much of the world I see, I will always be their kid, and I will always, always come home to them.