I've rewritten this article a thousand times. No amount of words can ever describe the strongest woman I know. I'll just put it out there: My mom had Breast Cancer.

I'd like to think it doesn't define her, but how can it not? Physically, she's different. I'll never get to see the way her hair looked on her wedding day. I'll never know what it's like to have a mom who has real boobs. I'll never get a second sibling. But that does not matter.

My mom is here. She survived. My mama is here. So this is for you mama:

I'm so incredibly glad you survived. I don't know what I would do without your smile or your laugh or simply the fact that you can still pick me up. You've taught me to keep on fighting, no matter how hard it gets. If you can beat cancer, I can get over a bad grade. If you can beat cancer, I can get through a fight with a friend. If you can beat cancer, I can push through the hard days.

I don't think I've ever said thank you for fighting. Fighting for me. Fighting for my sister. Fighting for dad. Fighting for your parents. Fighting for your brother. Fighting for your friends. But most importantly fighting for YOU.

Thank you for pushing through, no matter how tough it got. I can't even imagine how scared you were. I can't even imagine how hard it was to put on a brave face for me and Liv every single day.

You're my hero, mama.

I love you always and forever.