Mom,

I know I don’t say this nearly enough, but I miss you more than you know. I know I do not call or say thank you as often as I should, but your support and constant love has meant the absolute world to me.

Thank you for instilling love in my heart, and showing patience and understanding when I least deserved it. Even when I was a young child, you made sure I knew to look for the best in people, and thus ensured that I would become the best version of myself. That attribute has proven to be so important in college, and the love that you have shown me and taught me has allowed for me to make some of the most incredible friendships I could’ve dreamed of attaining in my collegiate years.

I’m sorry I did not savor the time that we had together before I moved so far away. In high school, I always thought about how I couldn’t wait to be in college, enjoying the freedom of not having your constant parental opinions. Eighteen years flew by so quickly, and I would love to have back even just a moment of the simplicity that we used to enjoy. I could use your daily guidance more than ever before.

When I told you of my desire to attend college across the country, you looked at me with big, sad eyes, but had such a proud smile on your face. You were realizing that your little girl was growing up. You’ve always supported my dreams, no matter how crazy they seem, and that’s something that’s very rare to come by.

Attending school so many miles away from you, my best friend, has been incredibly hard. You see, being an adult isn’t all they make it out to be. In the movies, they show college as this wild and fun time, when students rarely get homesick or crave to just be young again. Living it as a reality has made me extremely grateful that for 18 years I got to experience your hugs, support, and my favorite homemade meal when I was sad. You’d watch my favorite movie with me, no matter how many times I chose it for movie night, and made me hot chocolate when I was sick.

I wish I could drive and see you. Seeing you just a couple times a year absolutely makes me miss you more and more each day.

Most importantly, thank you for teaching me the true importance of things in life, and that when we focus on selfish things like money and superficial possessions, we can never obtain true happiness. You played the role of mother and father, and I know that being a single mom was particularly hard for you when I was in my late teens, but I always felt double the love from you, and that is what really matters. Things aren't always easy for us, but you ensure that no matter what, in the end, we’ll always have each other, no matter how many miles separate us.

You’ve never failed to put me first, no matter what that meant for your own comfort. You continue to love, encourage, and provide for me, even though I am so far away. In spite of a divorce and sickness, you worked two jobs to send me to an out of state institution. In my last days at home, I somehow lost sight of what you were doing for me, and now, no matter how many times I say “I love you,” or “thank you,” it will never seem like enough.

Being a college student in the 21st century has undoubtedly made me appreciate all the sacrifices you’ve made for me. As I continue to grow, make mistakes, and use them as learning experiences, I can only hope that every speed bump down the road can be used as a stepping stone to becoming as hardworking and incredible as you. You mean everything to me, and I hope you know how much I love you, and how appreciative I will always be.

I love you,

Your out of state college student