Thank you.

After 18 years, three months, 27 days, one hour, 33 minutes, 17 seconds and counting, these two simple words are the closest I'll ever get, to expressing in words how grateful I am to have you in my life. I could write novels and dissertations on how extraordinary you are, but I feel that “thank you” perfectly sums it up.

When I was younger, I would always say “thank you” as you prepared dinner. You’d laugh and tell me that I didn't have to thank you for the things that mothers were supposed to do. I didn't have to thank you for food or clothing or even the house that we lived in. I took your words for granted and ran with them. For the next 10 years, you’d bend over backwards trying to make ends meet all on your own and in return, you’d receive eye rolls, disobedience, and snide remarks. For 10 years I never once thanked you and for 10 years, you never once asked me to.

But I wanted to take the time to thank you for everything that I didn't thank you for in the last few years because you deserve it, even for the things mothers are supposed to do.

Thank you for never giving up on me even when I gave up on myself.

Thank you for believing in me and letting me know that the sky's the limit.

Thank you for pulling the glass out of the bottom of my feet even after you warned me never to go outside without shoes on.

Thank you for hugging me even when I didn't know I needed one.

Thank you for asking me what's wrong because your motherly instinct told you something wasn't right.

Thank you for buying me hundreds of books because you knew how much I loved to read.

Thank you for never forcing me to leave my comfort zone before I was ready.

Thank you for for allowing me to be sad sometimes and just holding me.

Thank you for making me laugh until my sides hurt.

Thank you for taking me to the hospital no matter how unrealistic or dramatic my self-diagnostics were.

Thank you for never saying I told you so even when you told me so.

Thank you for allowing me the freedom to learn and make mistakes.

Thank you for being so loving and open minded.

Thank you for the lectures on life even though at the time, I felt they were tedious.

Thank you for being my biggest fan.

Thank you for making the sacrifices you made so that I would never have to.

Thank you for just being you and loving me.

I could go on and on and on but I'd still wind up leaving things out because that’s how many things you deserve a thank you for. Although this list is short, I hope you accept these belated thank yous and know that I’ll forever be grateful for the wonderful person you are and the amazing things you do.

Love always,

Your very thankful daughter