Dear Mom,

First, I'd like to say Happy Mothers day. I am so glad this holiday exists because, after everything you do for our family, you deserve to be spoiled. This is your day, and I am so excited for you to wake up to the smell of your favorite breakfast, blueberry pancakes, and spend the rest of the day doing whatever the hell you want.

Thank you for being one of the most influential role models in my life. You have taught me great work ethic, how to be an independent woman, to follow my passion, how to love deeply and so many other things, but the list is too long for this article. I can honestly say I wouldn't be the woman I am today without your wisdom and love.

Watching you continuously grow and succeed in your career has taught me valuable lessons that push me to do even more with my life. You have always told me to find a career that you are passionate about so you can love every day you're at work, just like you do, and that has helped me shape my future. Thank you for always supporting me with all of my overwhelming career and major changes when I just can't make up my mind and talking me through the tough decisions I've had to make. You're always the first person I call when I need to talk, even if I end up talking for most of the time.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity and for pushing me to try new things. Whether it was getting the chance to explore the different avenues I could take in life, living in another country for two months, or just traveling the world with my family, I am grateful that you have made me the travel bug I am today (because we both know I didn't get it from dad.) Being able to experience different parts of the world with my family and also doing my own thing in another country, 5,000 miles away from you has shaped me into the woman I am and I will always be so appreciative of the opportunities you have given to me.

One of the most valuable things you have taught me is how to love. My favorite part about being in this family is how close we are and how much we deeply love each other. Some people can't say they have a family bond like we do and I will be forever grateful for you and dad for instilling that in us. Coming home for just a weekend during school or for a whole summer feels like I never left and as soon as I drive into our neighborhood, its immediately back to normal. I absolutely love that feeling and will cherish it forever.

Lastly, I'd like to thank you for bringing my best friend into this world, my brother. I love that boy more than anything and I can't imagine our family without him. You have raised him into an incredibly sweet and intelligent person who will go so far in life. Also, thank you for picking the best man for the job, my dad. I would say more, but that's an article for a whole nother day.

I love you, Mom.

Thanks for everything and Happy Mothers Day.