Once a year, we celebrate Mother's Day. It’s the one day a year we actually show our mothers how much we love and appreciate them. Whether it’s willingly washing the dishes or making her breakfast in bed, we go out of our way to give her the attention she deserves. But who ever said that Mother’s Day was limited to the woman that birthed you? Mother’s Day should be a celebration of all of the women in your life who took part in nurturing and raising you. So here’s to the amazing women who helped raise me.

To my Aunt

Thank you for always offering an outside opinion and helping me see things from a different light. Whenever things got tough for me you took the time to help me through it. You’ve never shied away from telling me how it is, even when I don’t want to hear it. But you’ve also offered an escape for me. Whether it was tagging along on your adventures or simply relaxing by the pool, you have brought so much joy and wisdom to my life.

To my Godmother

Thank you for bringing me closer to Christ. Your faith inspires me to love and serve. You have shown me what true selflessness is and I aspire to be half the woman you are someday. I could never thank you enough for the endless support you have given me throughout my life while constantly reminding me of the significance of my faith.

To my Grandmother

Thank you for always being there. Whether I’m in desperate need of grocery money or just in need of good company, you are always there. I know you will always offer the truth I may not necessarily want to hear, and you always have my best at heart. Thank you for being the helping hand that I am sometimes too prideful to admit to needing.

To my Mom

Thank you for everything you have sacrificed in your life to give me the world. Thank you for surrounding me with a support system my entire life to insure that I will never face a day alone. You have been my greatest supporter, very best friend, and confidant for nineteen years, and I hope to never face a day in which you aren’t.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and my village did quite the job. Thank you all for your endless love and support. We may be untraditional, but we are pretty exceptional.