As I spend the next few months preparing to leave for my first year of college, I also have to prepare myself for leaving my mom and dad. My mom has spent the last 24 years ensuring the best for her children. With Mother's Day quickly approaching, I feel that a huge thank you is long overdue.

My mom is the most selfless person I have ever met. She has always just been there. She is there at every boring band and chorus concert I have been a part of. She is happy to be there, and makes it known how proud she is of me, even if I'm dancing and singing in the farthest back corner of the stage. A lot of parents will come to see their kids in shows, but they are not involved. My mom has been the leader of selling concessions for the band since my brother has been in it. She is involved simply because she wants to be a part of something her children love.

Everyday for my whole life I have come home to an amazing dinner cooked by my mom. I don't think she knows how much I appreciate this. I have friends who have to buy their own groceries and cook all of their own meals, and though I would not mind doing this I am so grateful that my mom has bestowed her heavenly spaghetti and meatballs and Cheerio bars upon me. I would be a different person if I had never eaten my mom's spaghetti and meatballs.

I admire my mom a lot. She was a stay-at-home mom up until I was in high school. Then, she felt that she wanted to work again, and she got a job. She is earning money for us as a family along with my dad, and then she comes home and cooks all of us food. I miss her as she is gone more, but I am so proud of all of the hard work she does. What I admire my mom most for, though, is her empathy and kindness. She is always sweet to me, even if I'm being a jerky teenager. When she is mad at me it is usually my fault, and she still apologizes first. I have her to thank for my worrying streak, but if I can ever worry about my kids with as much love as she does I'll be lucky. Sometimes when I'm upset she puts the blame on herself for events happening completely out of her control. I wish she wouldn't do that. Rarely the blame can be placed on her, she makes me so happy.

A moment that stands out to me with my mom is when my boyfriend broke up with me. I was absolutely devastated. My mom was out shopping, so I had just texted her the news. Later, she comes into my room, gives me a big hug, and hands me a plant. Knowing how much I love plants, my mom bought this in an attempt to cheer me up. It totally worked, especially because it was a fake plant, unbeknownst to all, which was hilarious.

I am going to miss my mom too much next year. It's going to be hard not seeing her everyday. She is my favorite person to go see arty movies and musicals with, and I love singing along to the whole Hamilton soundtrack with her, crying the whole time. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful mom. Recently I've started telling her that I love her everyday, because I don't know what I would do if she was gone. My mom is the most amazing person.

I love you, Mom.