It's unconventional that this day should come. A daughter writing a letter to her mom as she goes off and gets married. There's a strange feeling, knowing that your mom is vowing her life to someone else, starting a new journey down a road that both of you have no idea what will happen on. But, I've always expressed myself best in writing, so here's to you, Mom, on your wedding day.

Dear Mom,

We have never been the cookie cutter version of mother and daughter, and admittedly, we've probably done more growing up together in our lives than most mother-daughter pairs. So here's a few thoughts I have for you, on your wedding day, because, let's face it, nobody is going to want to listen to an hour long speech led by a girl who can't shut up.

I hope you're happy.

There have been times in your life that I've seen you at your worst. Tear stained and upset over words I've said, words other people have said to you, etc. I've watched you survive a marriage that wasn't ever really what you wanted and I hope that you're happy. I hope that you wake up, even on the bad mornings, and just smile because you have what you always wanted. Maybe it didn't happen the way you planned, and the road to get here was long, winding, and treacherous, but nevertheless, you got here.

I hope you feel beautiful.

I hope your dress is everything you could have hoped it would be, that your makeup and hair is flawless and that you look back on today, when you're in sweatpants with your hair tied back, and remember how beautiful you felt. I hope your own criticisms of yourself are put to rest for this one day and that you feel like your best self.

I hope you are surrounded in love.

I hope you realize just how much I love you, standing next to you, watching you start a new chapter. I hope that your friends and family make you feel special, cared for, and supported as you start your new life. And I hope you know that no matter what has happened in the past, you are my mom, and that's an unconditional love you can't find anywhere else.

You're not just my mom, you're my friend.

At some point, I stopped needing you to tell me how to act in public. I stopped needing you to hold my hand or remind me to look both ways when I cross the street or to call when I got to a friend's house okay. And at some point, we stopped being mother and daughter, younger and older, and evened out as mother and daughter, friends. And I couldn't be happier about it. Thank you for being a mother and a friend, all in one.

I hope it's all worth it.

I hope that all of the things you've had to go through have brought you to this point in your life. I hope that all of the sadness, loss, tears, trials and tribulations have brought you to this, one of the greatest moments of your life (besides having me, your favorite child). I hope that this happiness, makes it all worth it. You've been through a lot. You deserve this.

I hope he's good to you.

I hope he treats you like you walk on water and realizes the kind of person he has in his life. I hope he makes you smile when you feel like your world is falling apart and I hope that he respects you, your time, your wishes, your everything. I hope he motivates you to be a better person, inspires you to go after the things you want, and builds a life with you that's better than what you could have ever imagined for yourself.

And lastly,

I love you. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. And I am so incredibly happy for you on your special day.

Love,

Your Daughter