To All The Grandmas Out There,

Walking into your home (that you've offered up to me as my second home), I'll never get tired of the aroma of homemade cookies or the taste of your icebox pudding cake. Surrounded by pictures of our family in every corner and the house being decorated to perfection depending on the certain holiday, your home is somewhere any grandchild feels safe. But the one place where I have always felt the most safe was in your arms.

Thank you for always being there for me, no matter what. Thank you for letting me be myself. Thank you for always allowing me to come visit whenever. Thank you for always making me laugh and even laughing at my not-so-funny jokes. Thank you for allowing me to cry in your arms and for even crying with me. Thank you for doing arts and crafts with me when I was younger and letting me experiment with all different nail polishes and makeup on you.

Thank you for spoiling me every time I seemed interested in something at the store or in a catalogue. Thank you for picking me up from school and making me chicken noodle soup when I was sick. Thank you for teaching me how to ride a bike and for buying a little pool to keep on your deck because you were afraid we'd get too hot in the sun. Thank you for all the old-time stories and the life lessons you've taught me. Thank you for keeping all my secrets that I didn't want mom or dad finding out. Thank you for allowing me to say what I felt when I wanted and for not judging me, but helping me. Thank you for always appreciating all my accomplishments and making me feel like I'm on top of the world. Thank you for providing me with unconditional love.

I look forward to seeing you every holiday. I look forward to the weekly phone calls and emails. I look forward to surprising you at your door and seeing your face light up. I look forward to sprucing you up by doing your makeup and picking an outfit because "we know best." I look forward to hearing how well you're doing and what exciting thing you have done that day. I look forward to all the cute selfies we take and the boy advice. I looked forward to taking care of you when your back or leg or simply your head hurt. I looked forward to me being your new chauffeur, no this was never a chore for me, (plus, you did drive me every where for 16 years... I owe you). I just look forward to being your granddaughter every day.

A grandmother's love is so pure. They say there is no greater love than a parent to child, but grandmothers get to "do it all over again." I wish I could see you more often, but know you're always in my thoughts. Words can't describe how much you mean to me and I am 100 percent serious that I do not know what I'll do when the time comes that God calls you, but I love you so much and I plan on cherishing every moment I have with you.

Thank you for not only being my grandma, but thank you for being my best friend and never leaving me. I can always count on you for anything, whether it's gossiping or bonding. Not a "daddy's girl" nor a "mama's girl," I am a "grandma's girl." Again, thank you for everything. I genuinely have no idea where I'd be without you. Every memory shared will forever stay in my heart and you individually will forever hold one of the biggest, deepest spots. Thanks for being you, Gram, I love you.