*To all the Moms out there, my own, as well as those of the past, present and future, whether moms, step moms, biological or not, whether you're a laid back mom, a "smother" (smothaaa.. I'm from "Boston"), a second mama, a grandma, an aunt, a single dad, or even just a dad, or whatever - thanks for all you have done, do, and will do in the future for your children's lives. You're loved every single day and we appreciate you. Thanks for making me want to grow up to be just like you!

Dear baby girl,

I promise to instill the best values in you as you grow older. I will be apart of every single aspect of your life, for as long as I live. I’ll show up to every graduation, from your pre-k to your college, and beyond if your little brain desires that knowledge. I’ll be at every game, whether it be soccer, basketball, a cheerleading competition and beyond, I’ll be in the stands cheering you on.

I will always put you first and support your wildest dreams. I’ll annoy you so much that you’ll roll your eyes at me, but that is only out of the love I will have for you. I will dress you in insanely cute outfits, probably with too much pink and too many sparkles, but you’ll be stylish none the less. I’ll have car jam sessions with you, dance awkwardly in public, and we’ll have tons of shopping sprees that your dad will not be in support of.

I’ll somehow learn how to braid your hair, and braid it with love, every morning before school and every other time you want it done. I will teach you manners, because those will get you far in life. I will teach you to respect your elders, your peers, and help you learn how to earn your own respect back from others as well. I’ll start crazy tickle fights with you until you’re laughing so hard you cry. I’ll introduce you to the best movies, and binge watch them with you.

I’ll watch you get on your first bus for school and be there, crying, when you walk down that aisle. I’ll take too many pictures at all your big events, and make killer collages for your senior banquet. I’ll discipline when needed, but comfort you when you’re down. I’ll be your mom first and best friend second. I'll keep your secrets and share mine with you as well. I'll make sure we have the best jam sessions in the car to the best music, throwbacks before your time, and to the latest hits!

I’ll pick you up when you’re down, wipe your tears when you’re hurt, and bandage your boo-boos. We will have crazy pillow fights, movie nights with junk food, and cuddle sessions. I will allow you to see me at my absolute best and my absolute worst, because no mom is perfect. I will hold you when you cry, and tell you that you are worth it and you are loved and you are wanted.

I will hug you till it hurts, enough to make myself happy and enough to make you say, “eww stop.” I will embarrass you in front of your crush, because what else would I do? And harass him to make sure he treats my little girl right when you go on your first date. I'll fight with you over something you think is stupid, and you'll slam your door, only for us to make up over ice cream and hugs.

I think I’ll smother you, because I’ll just love you so much. I’ll teach you how to ride a bike, drive, dream, imagine and shoot for the stars. I might even love your best friends, almost as if they were my own. I’ll give you that “mom look” when you’re being sassy, but secretly love it because I know you’ll get your attitude from me.

I’ll come running if you have a bad dream, and sit up with you at night until you fall asleep. I’ll take you on your first roller coaster, and scream along side you. I’ll teach you about life as much as you’ll teach me about it as well. I'll let you sip my iced coffee, even though I don't want to share. I'll lean on you, and let you lean on me, because I know we will learn to love and need each other.

I’ll teach you how to care for others, how to laugh and have fun. I’ll help you stride for you goals and make sure you ask you how your day was every single day. I’ll always kiss you goodnight, even call or text you if you’re not home. I’ll teach you how to be a good mom, and hope to be a role model for you one day.

I'll teach you how to work for what you want, how to be strong willed, and courageous. I’ll help you with your homework, go to every parent teacher conference, every college tour, and every move in day. I'll proudly wear and hang up all your Mother's Day art works, no matter how much glue and macaroni is on them. I'll make you take cheesy pictures with me, because I just will love you so much, I'll want to show you off to everyone.

I'll teach you how to love, how to love others (including animals), but more importantly how to love yourself. I'll teach you to have respect for yourself, because that's highly important. I'll tell you about my past, my present, and my dreams for the future, because you'll be apart of that.

I'll encourage you to try new things, but never make you do something you don't want to. I'll tell you all about my role models in my life who helped me become the good mom I hope to be to you. I'll teach you it's great to be be strong, but you don’t have to be all the time. I’ll teach you that it's also okay to be scared about some things because that is normal and that it is totally okay to cry. I'll tell you about my day and listen to you tell me all about yours. I’ll send you hilarious memes that we can both relate to, just to make our days less stressful.

I will annoyingly text you multiple times, to just tell you I love you. I’ll teach you right from wrong and I’ll take you to get your nails done. I’ll go school shopping with you, from books, binders, and the cutest shoes. I’ll teach you how to cook and bake, because that is always fun.

I’ll make you fall in love with "Gilmore Girls", because, besides us of course, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore will be the best mother -daughter duo ever.

I want you to know that I’ll be there for you, and I’ll do my best to not let you down, even though sometimes I might, for we aren’t always perfect. I'll teach you how important real family is, but also teach you how your friends can become true family too.

I’ll hug you always, and love you forever because no matter how old you get, forever my baby you will be.

Love always,

Mom.