Mom,
From the moment I was first laid in your arms, we've had an unbreakable bond. I was the child you hoped and dreamed for, and you were the mom that God hand picked for me. I thank Him everyday for giving me to you.
I was the child lovingly nicknamed "velcro baby" because of my extreme attachment to you. I was not happy being held by anyone, but you. I would cry and cry and cry until I was back in your arms. You switched to a night job just after I was born hoping that would be easier on me, but I still was a terror at night for dad, so you quit that job for me. Oh how sorry I am, but thankful that you did that.
You've always been my best friend and the one I look up to the most. I never went through the typical teenage angst stage of "I hate mom". However rare they were, we sure had our fights. But, they were always short lived because we couldn't ever stay mad at each other long. When I tell people about you, I always say, "My mom is superwoman". You are the sole provider for our family traveling around the world while still managing to be the soccer team mom, church elder and professional chauffeur for four children. I am always shocked with how you can manage your very full plate of responsibilities, but then again, I'm not because you are you. Superwoman.
From a very early age, I was always told, "you look just like your mom". Especially as I grew older and started high school, it was said to me more and more. But, not just that I looked like you, but that I sounded just like you when I talked because we share the same mannerisms and vocabulary. You may have thoughts this bothered me a little bit or that I didn't agree, while actually I loved hearing it. It is such an amazing compliment to hear that I look and sound just like my mom because I want to be just like you when I grow up. And, I say that like I haven't yet. At almost 21 years old I have barely touched the surface of the person I will turn out to be, but all I can hope is that I become more and more like you.
Going away to school six hours away from you was hard for me to do. Even though you greatly encouraged it, I know it was really hard for you to watch your baby girl leave the nest. But, you've been there for me every step of my journey with daily texts or phone calls. Even though its my third year away at school, each goodbye with you never gets easier. I may put on a good front, but the second I am out of your sight the waterworks begin. I can't explain why it happens. Nothing about our relationship changes when I go away from home. In fact, we have become closer than ever. But, each time we say goodbye it is just as hard as the first.
I cannot thank you enough for the opportunities you have given me in life, for all of the solid advice you have given me, for all of the moments you have been my biggest cheerleader, and for all the broken hearts that you have gotten me through. But most of all, for all the unconditional love you have given me. All I can hope for it to be half the mom that you are to my future children and to have the relationships that I have with you with my own daughter.
I love you to the moon and back.
~Your Princess
