Dear Mom,

Today is your birthday. I know you've never been one to celebrate it. I know this week is always a very bad week for you. But, in twenty years, that has never stopped me from trying to give you a nice birthday. Years ago, I used to bake you a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups on it ever year for when you got home from work. Sometimes, if I had saved enough money from skipping lunch at school, I would buy you flowers too. And we would always make you a card. We know how much you love homemade gifts.

Unfortunately this year -- like every year since I started working -- I won't have time to bake you your birthday cake. But that won't stop me from trying to brighten your day.

This year, I wanted to thank you. It's taken me a very long time to realize and appreciate everything you've done for me. As I grow older and learn more about the world, I realize you didn't have it easy. You sacrificed a lot for me and my brother. I honestly don't know how you did it, and did it so well.

You gave up a pretty wild young adulthood -- that I'm honestly pretty jealous of -- when you had me. You gave up sleep and privacy to raise me. You gave up your days -- and countless hours of sleep -- so you could work nights to provide for us. You gave up your hobbies and free time -- and even some of your sanity, I'm sure -- to make sure that we had a nice home, a warm meal, and a comfortable bed to sleep in at the end of every day.

I know we haven't always been the easiest kids -- especially during our teenage years -- but I just want to remind you of how much we appreciate your hard work, your patience, and your love. One day, if I ever fully commit to the idea of having kids of my own, I hope to be at least half the mother you have been.

We love you, mom. Thank you.