After I left home to go to college my relationship with my mom has become so strong, I didn’t even know it was possible to appreciate someone so much. I never realized how many times a day I call my mom until I looked at my call history and noticed how many times it said “Mom”. I live two hours away from her, but no matter what happens in my life she is the first person I want to call, on my best day and on my worst day.

So Mom, thank you for being my shoulder to cry on, my biggest supporter, and my person from hours away. Thank you for never giving up on me, especially when I was a 9-week premature, 2-pound baby inside the NICU all alone. Thank you for never giving up on me even though I am years into college and still don’t know what career to pursue. Thank you for supporting me at cheerleading competitions even though I know you didn’t want to spend 10 hours there only to watch my2 minute and 30 second routine.Thank you for watching me on the computer while I competed at nationals in Florida and cheering me on from miles away because you couldn’t be there. Thank you for stepping back and letting me live my life so I can learn from my mistakes even when you wanted to step in and tell me what was best for me. Thank you for giving me siblings that will have my back forever. Thank you for letting me call you a million times a day. Thank you for telling me how to cook hard-boiled eggs on the phone because I couldn’t figure it out on my own. Thank you for cooking me my favorite food every time I come back home.Thank you for pronouncing "calamari" the same way I do. Thank you for loving wine as much as I do.

But, simply THANK YOU for being you and for loving me regardless of how many times I have messed up. I am so, so fortunate to have you in my life and I could not imagine living life without you. Words cannot do justice how much you truly mean to me.