When I was young I believed that step mothers were evil. I grew up watching Cinderella sneakily scurrying to her pumpkin carriage to attend the ball her step mother had the audacity to forbid her from attending. Snow White bit the poison apple that her step mother had sent to kill her. It's no wonder my childish brain believed that any addition to our family would mean a turn for the worst. What the fairy tales don't tell you is just because she didn't conceive you doesn't mean she can't love you as if she did.

Thank you for loving me like your own.

I may not say it enough sometimes, and I may say it too much at other times but, I love you too. Thank you for loving me as someone else's child at first, and as your child now. I notice all the hard work you put into making sure I felt at home in our home at first, and it paid off. I have two mothers, and for that, I will always be grateful.

Thank you for giving me my best friends.

The day we all moved in together I never imagined I would be as close with your children as I am today. The laughs we would share, the trips we would experience and the advice they would give me are experiences beyond anything I ever expected. You raised your son with integrity, he is a good man and the best brother any girl could ask for. Both of your daughters are more to me than sisters, I would go to the ends of the earth for those girls and I could never repay you for the gift of my best friends.

Thank you for always supporting me.

Whenever I feel doubt in myself, you are right there to remind me why I can not quit. You show me what I am capable of and challenge me to achieve more. I am beyond grateful for all you push me to achieve, and I know that I couldn't do half of it without you. I will always put myself out there without fear because I know the risk of showing the world what I can do, will be well worth it.

Thank you for laughing with me.

Throughout the years we have spent as a family, I have gotten to know your sense of humor and your laugh, very well. Whether we are laughing at something someone else said, or the time I fell down the stairs, there is never a dull moment with you. Your sense of humor and my sarcasm are a perfect match for each other. Thank you for always lightening the mood, and cracking me up with your loud laugh and odd sense of humor.

Thank you for being my role model.

Without you, I would have nothing to strive to be. You show me what a strong woman is, and that is what I will always aspire to become. I want to be smart, caring and strong like you have shown me a woman should be. I admire you for all you did, all you have overcome and, and all you are today. You are one of the most influential women in my life and I admire you for the example you set for me every single day.