Mom,

Ever since I was born, you’ve been there for me through it all without complaint: fights with my friends, bad grades, long nights, coffee runs and much needed retail therapy trips. You’ve dried my tears when everything seemed to be too much to handle, and you’ve laughed with me at all the crazy things my brothers have done. You’ve been there at all of my events: the millions of dance recitals, the hot golf matches and the long swim meets on Friday nights. You’ve raised me to be the woman that I am today, and it’s time for me to thank you. You deserve more than the world. You are more than just my mom. You are my role model, inspiration and my best friend.

As a new college freshman, these past few months have been hard. Struggling to adjust, make new friends and manage school work has been exhausting, but you’ve been there to support me every step of the way. Our weekly lunch dates and weekend movie nights mean more to me than you will ever understand. If I didn’t have you to text when life gets hard, I know I wouldn’t make it through the day without having several mental breakdowns. I love knowing that you’re only a quick phone call away. You thought that when I left for college, it would be hard for you, but I think it’s been just as hard for me.

Thank you for being by my side through all the years before college and for helping me finally reach my dream school. Thank you for always opening up our house to my crazy friends. They seem to think of you as their second mom, and you’ve helped them through so many situations. Thank you for teaching my brothers and me what family really is. I love having such a close relationship with them, and you taught us how to be there for each other. Even though we might have our differences, at the end of the day, we always have our family.

You are the strongest woman I know. Thank you for sharing your passions with me and for supporting me to continue my education. Thank you for showing me what a true “starving artist” is, but never discouraging me from pursuing what I care about. You’ve taught me all the important things in life, like what is right, what is wrong and that wearing three different types of cheetah print in one outfit is totally okay. Thank you for giving me the ability to care for others and for teaching me to think of others first. Your willingness to care for people inspires me every day to make a difference in the lives of others.

You have given me strength on the bad days, smiles on the good days and laughs on the crazy days. You are there to get me sweet tea when school is exhausting me, and to hold my hand when I’m sick because throwing up is not my thing. Thank you for giving me advice when girls are mean and boys are absolutely stupid. Thank you for dairy-free ice cream and marathon episodes of "Gilmore Girls." You’re the Lorelai to my Rory, and I’m so glad to have a mom as amazing, caring and crazy as you. Thank you for being my best friend.

Love,