Dear Mom,
As I get ready to leave for my freshman year in college, I know that it is hard on you. We are each other's best friends, and always will be. This is a drastic change going from seeing each other every day to living eight hours away from you. I know we can do it. It'll be tough that's for sure. I know that you'll be sad thinking about the fact that I am beginning to find my way in the world without you. That isn't true though because I always have you with me in my heart. There is something so insanely beautiful about the love between a mother and daughter: between us. When I'm happy, you're happy or when I'm broken, you break down with me. You are always there for me and that won't change. I still need you just as much as I did before, if not more.
I need you to be strong for me, OK?
It seems like yesterday when you were teaching me how to ride a bike and now you're teaching me how to do my laundry. I should have believed you all the times you said: "life moves in the blink of an eye." It scares me. I know I put on a brave face for you, but I'm terrified leaving something so familiar and comfortable. That's OK, I still have you to turn to. You've been there when it seems like no one else was. You put up with me in my terrible twos, awkward middle schooler and those lovely four years of high school. You've been there at my worst and have seen the best in me. I love you so much for that.
It's my turn to be there for you now, OK?
The older I get, I see more qualities of you in me than I did before; I wouldn't have it any other way. You are my hero. I have never admired anyone more than I have you. Your strength inspires me and I know this will test that. I am truly in awe of you and your heart of gold. You have sacrificed so much for me and my dreams. You constantly put me first, and now it's time that you get to put yourself first after 18 years. You deserve the world, Mom. You've shown me what love really is and how astonishing it is.
Don't forget that I love you, OK?
Maybe it's the ink tattooed on our two bodies forever, but mother's and daughters are always and forever. Our love is always and forever. So many people wish that they were as close to their mom's like we are. We have achieved the greatest friendship in our life so early that I cannot wait to see what the rest of it offers us. Through all the tears and laughs, I wouldn't have wanted to share this life with anyone else. Don't be sad that this chapter in our lives is over, be happy because our story isn't over. We just have to start writing our next chapter together apart.
It's going to be OK, OK?
Thank you for making me someone you and I can be proud of.
"don't think. it complicates things. just feel, and if it feels like home, then follow its path." R.M. Drake
xoxo
cgl
