My Mom and Dad have always been a great influence in my life. They've kicked my rear and busted my chops to do the right thing and to be the best I can be. I love them very much, and I use them as a model for who I'd like to be and for how my own marriage should be. They've been married about 30 years, so they've clearly done something right.
My mother is a practical woman, and the voice of reason in an insane household. Sometmies I don't know how she kept us kids in line. She's a quiet woman and rarely yells, but when you're in trouble you know it. She likes going with my Dad to movies, sewing, quilting and knitting, and playing her piano. She also works as a music teacher at the local elementary school, and really enjoys it for the most part. From my mother I get my eye and hair color, and my shortness.
My Dad is an ex-marine and very proud of it. He served in Vietnam and got an honorable discharge as a Sergeant. My Dad's one of those rare people who knows a little bit about everything, and he's one of the smartest men I know. He works a bank manager, and knows tons about finances and taxes and such. My Dad also is a bishop at the local Mormon church, and is one of the best speakers you'll ever hear. He's as big a movie buff as I am, and enjoys reading sci-fi and fantasy as well. J.R.R. Tolkien, Harlan Ellison, and Orson Scott Card are his favorites, and he's the one who gave me my love of reading. I take more after my father in body type and personality. We both have kind of short tempers and are generally loud people.