Thank you for always being my biggest cheerleader.

Whether it was a choir concert where I had a solo or I was standing in the back row, a musical where I was a lead or just chorus, my mom always had to be the first in line to get into the theater to get her regular seats with the best view. When I was failing class after class and graduating from high school almost didn't look realistic for me, she didn't give up on me, she asked me how she could help. Through some of the roughest parts of my life, she was always there to cheer me on because even though I was certain I was going to fail, she knew I'd succeed and soar to heights unimaginable. I am so thankful for her constant positivity and words of encouragement.

Thank you for listening.

My mom always told me I could talk to her about absolutely anything. While I was in high school, I never really took advantage of that like I should have. I thought my mom knew nothing about what I was going through and that I'd rather hide my feelings and deal with them on my own than vent them out. You never really realize how much your mom does listen until you go off to college and don't have her to talk to all the time. One of my favorite things to do when I come home for breaks or weekends is to vent and talk with her. School, stress, boyfriend, friends, things she is dying to know about, things she could live her whole life without knowing about me, she's there through it all. She is one of the best listeners and, believe it or not, one of the best advice givers out there and I am so thankful I have that bond with her.

Thank you for giving me the world when you had nothing.

My mom is one of those people who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She is absolutely selfless and it really shows. When my parents first got divorced and we were moving out of our house, we were really struggling to make ends meet to the point where my grandparents bought us groceries every couple of weeks. She worked her butt off for what we had and even though she had no room to give me anything, she would still lend me $10 to see a movie with friends or $15 to see my favorite band in the basement of a venue in Milwaukee. She didn't want my teenage years to suck because our home life sucked. I am so grateful for all the opportunities she gave up so I could create my own memories. I live in awe of her generosity and there is not a day that passes where I am not thankful for everything I have.

Thank you for putting up with all of my attitude.

I used to have a really sassy mouth on me. I know my mom is laughing right now and saying, "Used to?? You STILL do!" Sorry mom. My mom and I used to fight all the time before I moved to school. I took for granted how wonderful she really is and I mistook her advice for criticism. As I grew on my own at school, I realized all the time I spent fighting with her, I could of used bonding and communicating with her. She put up with so much attitude and so many instances of "I hate you!" that I didn't really mean and looking back on it, all of it was pointless. Maybe she didn't word things as great as she could have when telling me things, and maybe I didn't respond as kindly as I could've, but in the end, we both meant well. So thank you, mom, for not killing me before I got the chance to realize how great you are.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally.

I know raising me must've been the hardest thing ever, but no matter how much I put you through, you still loved me. No matter what I did, how much I failed, how bad I screwed everything up, you let me cry and said, "I love you." When everything went my way and life was looking up for the first time in forever, you hugged me and said, "I love you". Every night before bed, we always say, "Goodnight, I love you. See you in the morning." We've said it every single night for as long as I can remember. Sometime we say it so fast, it's inaudible, but we say it and mean it nonetheless. We don't agree on everything, we don't have a perfect relationship, but I still love you all the same. You are the sun, the moon, and the stars and you are such a blessing in my life. You have never shorted me on love and I am so thankful everyday that I have the mom I do. Thank you, mom, for everything you do.