For all the time you spend being two parents in one. For all the sacrifices you make for my comfort. For all the lessons you teach me day after day, I have to say thank you. Thank you, Mom, for being you.

Thank you for making me into the person I am today. You have always taught me that love is the most important thing in our world. You have shown me what it means to love and how important it is to be loved. You have taught me that family is the only thing that lasts forever and that I should never take advantage of that fact. You have been an example of the virtues of generosity, kindness, and acceptance that have become the code I live by.

You taught me how to live my life, but you also taught me how to make it through everyday life. I'm proud of the fact that my mother taught me how to drive and shave and mow the lawn.

You know when something's bothering me, and you know when you should or shouldn't ask me to talk about it (even though I usually burst in to tears and spill everything the second I see you when I'm upset). You approach every situation with joy, compassion, and understanding. You have a contagious positive personality that leaves everyone around you in better spirits. You're the Queen of Christmas Morning and all things surprise or gift-related which all just goes to show the amount of care and attention you give to each person in your life, and I am so thankful to be one of those people.

You are fierce and headstrong which can cause conflict when it comes to me, but we tend to have the best kind of fights – the kind that end with us being closer than we were before and laughing about the whole situation. I think that what I admire most about you is your ability to set your mind on a goal and not stop until you achieve it. Seeing you continually strive to be better than you were the day before instilled in me the importance of working hard and motivating myself.

You have poured so much of yourself into me, our family, your work, and your friendships, and I only hope that I can be as successful as you in being dedicated to so many people. Everything you have taught me will forever be a part of who I am and what I hold dear, and I have the confidence to say that you have prepared me to be the best man, husband, father, worker, teacher, and friend that I can be.

You are strong. You are my best friend. You are the only one who always has and always will have my back. You are Mom. Happy Mother's Day!