Parent and Family of the Year Award Winner-The Fealy Family

Hearing my dad cheering from the crowd, finding notes of encouragement from my mom in my lunch box, and memories of both of them taking the time to play catch with me even though it was more like a game of fetch for them. These are the moments of love and sacrifice that I cherish the most. When I think of those who have served me throughout my life, the most common trait found in these people is sacrifice and within sacrifice is a choice to be selfless. I cannot think of anyone who has chosen day in and day out to put others before themselves like my parents, Steve and Marieke Fealy have.

At three years-old, my parents began working opposite shifts so they would not have an unaffordable daycare bill. It did not surprise me years later when I realized there was a four-year period where they only saw each other on weekends. My parents are the epitome of selflessness. Never once have they hesitated to put their own needs and wants behind my brothers and mine.

At eight years-old, I asked my mom why I did not get to see my daddy as much as I used to. Being so young, the term “laid off” was not an easy thing to understand. I did not see my dad because he was going to school all day, every day, to learn a trade while working odd jobs on the side. At the same time, my mom was working part-time and trying to raise two kids.

At fourteen years-old, my dad took a week of vacation to sit and watch me speed skate at nationals in Nebraska. When I fell in my first race, making it nearly impossible for me to get on the podium, my dad still encouraged me to do my best because he believed in me. Whenever I took the racing floor, his voice was louder than any other, making it the only thing that I listened to. If he told me I needed to get a bigger lead, I picked up my pace. If he told me to relax during a longer race, I relaxed. He has always been there to support my passions and even though I do not speed skate anymore, he still cheers me on from the sidelines. He always calls me to wish me luck before any big event in life, whether it be a final in a tough class or a job interview, he has never forgotten to encourage me through my journey.

At eighteen years-old, I became the first person in my family to attend a university. In August of 2012, we toured Gonzaga University. It was evident throughout the day that there was something special about this community of students. Everyone seemed happier and so excited to see one another. This was unlike any of the other schools we toured and as the day continued, I knew that this was the school I wanted to attend; this was the community that I wanted to be a part of. My mom gave me her opinion of Gonzaga like she had done with the other schools we visited, but this time it was different. This time, instead of giving some pros and cons, she simply explained she believed Gonzaga was the “perfect fit” for me. She was right.

Like many other parents, mine have given me endless opportunities that they themselves have never and will never have the chance to experience. While I am beyond grateful for the financial support these two have given me, I am more thankful for the endless and unconditional love, care, and support they have shown me throughout every moment of my life. When I called home, and said that I had the opportunity to study abroad in Zambia, they knew this would mean working extra hours for my benefit but to them, that did not matter. They were ecstatic about the experiences I was about to have and happy that they could help me achieve this dream of mine.

At nineteen years-old, I called my dad sobbing. Even though I studied for days on end, I still received a “D” on my very first accounting test. I was so discouraged and while my dad could have added on to my disappointment, he simply explained that it is okay to fail even when I do my best. He told me that nobody is perfect and now that I have taken one test, I can try preparing in a different way next time. It was a simple thing. My dad calmed me down about an accounting test. But it is those little things every day that have added up and make me so proud to have an encouraging and loving father.

My mom has shown me what it means to be a genuine, honest, and caring person. She has humbled me, reminded me that I am not perfect and there is always room to grow. She has also encouraged me to always be myself, stand up for what I believe in and remember that I am loved. For twelve years, my mom packed me a lunch everyday with the occasional note on a napkin that told me she loved me, she was proud of me, or to have a great day. With everything going on in her own life, she still made time to help my brother and I with our homework every night and in elementary school, she even volunteered in our classrooms so she could stay involved in that part of our lives.

My parents have given me every tool to succeed as a confident and independent woman. They have never let me down and they have never told me that I was dreaming to big or that my goals were too farfetched. As I am graduating, it is evident that I have grown into a better version of myself these last four years as a culmination of my experiences at Gonzaga and my parents being behind me to support me the entire way.

Now, at twenty-one years old, I want to thank my parents for never missing a chance to visit me at Gonzaga. I want to thank my dad for working eight hours and then getting on a plane just so he could then drive me five hours back home because I was exhausted from finals week… He has done this six times. I want to thank my mom for rarely missing my phone calls and always making time to talk to me for as long as I needed. I want to thank my parents for calming me down, for cheering me up, for being the number one people in my life and the two people I will always be able to depend on. I know that it does not matter what I decide to do with my life because I will always be able to rely on these two to support me in whatever endeavors and choices I make.

I believe the little things make the biggest difference. Small acts of kindness to make someone else feel supported, appreciated, and loved, are what I think of when I think of those who have served me in the greatest way. My parents have taught me that love is not grand gestures; love is being there for people whenever they need you, consistently and unconditionally. They have influenced me to live my life focusing on the little things I can do to help others every day. They are the first to admit that they are not perfect but my mom and my dad have done the very best that they possibly could for my brother and I. I could never repay them for all the sacrifices they have made for me and “thank you” just does not suffice for the selflessness that they have shown me. Nothing will ever make me prouder than being their daughter, Bree Fealy, a graduate of Gonzaga University.