You are literally one of the greatest human beings that almost anyone has met. I don't know where to begin, honestly. After I started writing for Odyssey, you may have been waiting for the article written for you to run across your Facebook feed. Well, your time has finally come.

Mom, where do I begin? You've always been the one who was there for me. Even when you don't understand why I feel a certain way or why I act the way I do, sometimes you ask me what the hell is going on. You were the mom to my group of friends from school and we always were welcome in your house even when we stayed up much later than you did and probably made more noise than you hoped we would. Mama E is and always will be the best, and I really do appreciate all the unhealthy snacks that you bought for me and my friends.

I would like to thank you for the way that you raised me. You raised me to be an independent, self-sufficient and confident woman. You taught me at a young age that I could make my own decisions and that nobody should make them for me. You taught me that I was powerful and could be anything I wanted to be. You never pressured me to be a doctor or a lawyer, but always wanted me to take the path that would make me the happiest.

You were the one who drove me to all of my cheer practices, football games, doctor's appointments — everything (until I turned 16 and wanted to "do my own thing"). I know I told you it didn't matter or I didn't care if you showed up, but I did. It meant a lot that I always had someone to cheer me on at any event I was at.

You are always there for me. Taking off work to stay home with me while I was sick, teaching me how to drive, going shopping with me (including trying on Goodwill wedding dresses) and getting Mexican food with me are just some of those times. You are so irrevocably compassionate with everything you do that it is one of the many things that I hope that I can learn from you and continue to do.

You're so selfless. I don't know how many things you gave up or how many loads of laundry you had to do over the years because of me. Yes, I know I took advantage of that because I knew you would do it, and I do feel bad for that. I could make an excuse and say that I was just a kid, but we all know that this probably happened last week, too.

Every single thing you do you do with passion. You work your butt off at your job even though they don't pay you nearly enough (in my opinion) or give you the recognition you deserve. Every week you put in much more than 40 hours in order to go above and beyond for everything that you do. You never give yourself nearly enough credit for it either. You work more than any other member of this family, and you honestly kick all of our butts in the work ethic field.

I strive for your work ethic because it's about doing your very best because it has your name on it, and not for any other reason. You've taught me to always put my best foot forward, even if I don't really want to do it, and even if it takes more time that I thought it would to do it right.

Mom, I owe you the world. I don't know how to put that into words exactly, but you have made me a better, more genuine person because of what you do. You are superwoman. You have allowed me to jump on a plane and travel beyond what my heart could imagine. I thank you for that.

You're so much more than just a mother to me. You're also my biggest role model and my best friend. Although it can seem like I choose granny over you, it's not true. However, you're my mom and grandma raised you so she must have done something right. You're a constant presence in my life and maybe 16-year-old me took that for granted.

I promise to not do that anymore because you never really do get told enough how utterly freaking amazing you are. This one is for you (finally).

With love always,

Your favorite daughter who has officially written you an article. (remember that when Dalton is being a shit head)