Letter to a Mentor - Jimmy Overmeyer

May 29, 2020

By Beth Johnson

Dear Mom and Dad,

I can’t believe I’m graduating from college. It feels like it was only yesterday that you dropped me off at Taylor tower. These 4 years have flown by, and you have been there every step of the way.

Graduating is a very surreal moment for me because it feels like the first time in my life where I don’t know what the future holds. Yet, I’m confident in my future because I know I have you and so many others behind me.

The past year has been a bumpy road, especially because of the difficulty I faced with deciding where to go and what to do after graduating. We probably spent way too much time thinking and talking about what’s important to me and what my goals are, which is isn’t surprising given my ambition. But we figured it out, and I know I couldn’t have done it without you. Sometimes it seems you know me better than I know myself… I guess that’s one of the goals of parenting, and you’ve done a bang-up job.

You have shown me the importance of gratitude, the utility of meaningful relationships, and the fervor required to accomplish my goals. I don’t know where else I would have learned that from but you.

Next year I will be starting my master’s at UF. I’m embracing my Gatorbuck heritage, and I’m excited to start this next chapter of my life (also excited about being 2 hours from home).

We did it, together, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me and everything you will do for me to help me accomplish my goals. Thanks for being my best friends.

Go Bucks! Go Gators! Love,

Jimmy