I can only hope to one day become half the woman you are; intelligent, beautiful, and so unbelievably strong. Here are the thank-yous that I didn't yet get to say. (Grab a tissue or two. I know you'll need it.)

Thank you for showing me what true love really is.

Thank you for teaching me that I deserve respect and kindness and teaching me that I don't deserve any less than that from anyone.

Thank you for teaching me how to face some of my toughest days head on and to make the best of them, even if it seems like the whole world is against me.

Thank you for forgiving me even when I didn't tell you I was sorry.

Thank you for listening to me cry about things that I probably shouldn't have been upset about.

Thank you for always telling me your honest opinion, whether I wanted to hear it or not.

Thank you for teaching me that sometimes I need to be the bigger person and even swallow my pride sometimes.

Thank you for not giving up, especially when I made your tough days even tougher.

Thank you for picking me up when I was down.

Thank you for loving me even when I'm being annoying.

Thank you for your friendship.

Thank you for putting up with me even when I'm nothing less than a handful to deal with.

Thank you for being the parent I hope to be for my own children.

Thank you for simply just being you.

You're my first friend, my best friend, and my forever friend. Thank you.