Dear Mom,

The best friend I have ever had: My number one supporter, my biggest fan, my best friend.

Mom, not only did you bring me into this world, but you have also shown me nothing but constant support through everything. From struggling in my senior year, to almost flunking out of college, and so many more of my not-so proud moments, you have managed to never be anywhere else except in my corner. Any girl would be lucky to have such a constant and strong support system as I had in you.

I am so thankful. I really am. I know it wasn't always easy, particularly in middle school, when I was too cool to be seen with you in public, and wouldn't give you the light of day. It took me a while, but at some point along the line you became the best friend I could ever have. I’m not sure when it happened- if it was moving 10,000 miles and living in a different country, but it's the best possible thing that could have happened. You’re my confidant: the person who knows all—from boy troubles to what I had for lunch, and having you as a shoulder to cry on was not only the best support system I have ever been able to utilize, but led to a bond so deep that it is hard for people to understand.

It takes a special woman to still be able to look in her daughter’s eyes after getting incredibly disappointing semester grades, and telling her to simply give it a second shot.

It takes a remarkable woman, and family, to move all the way across the world to ensure I have the best life and experience that was only ever an idea in my dreams.

It takes an amazing woman to send packages halfway across the world to prove that you not only are thinking of me, but that you are my number one cheerleader.

It takes an unbelievable (and possibly slightly crazy) woman to post to 227 of her closest Facebook friends of how proud of her daughter she is.

It takes an exceptional woman to explain that everything will eventually be okay again, even when there is nine inches of snow on the ground and I have just moved continents.

Even more so, it takes a phenomenal woman to prove it.

I am so thankful that I will always have a best friend like you, and so thankful that you believed in me, even when I may not have believed in myself. Without you, there are so many things that I would not have been able to achieve, and so many things that I would not have been able to do. Thank you for always being my hero, my biggest cheerleader, and most importantly, my mom. Nobody in the entire world could have done a better job. Even though we are usually thousands of miles away, my love is with you always. Love you, and miss you more and more each day.

All my love,

Your carbon copy,

Emily