Happy Birthday to my safe place.

You have given me so much more than just life. You have shown me how to be strong during dark times and how to not only survive but how to live a happy and successful life.

Whenever I was down and hurt, you were the one there to tell me that everything would be okay and you were always right. You not only picked me up but taught me how to pick myself up, brush off the pain, and grow from it.

If I made a wrong choice or decision, you never took it as a time to scold, but an opportunity to teach me how to be better.

The older I get, the more I realize and understand the sacrifices you made to raise your family. It must have been really difficult to set aside your career that you worked so hard for, to raise your kids. You wanted to make sure that we were all taken care of and even though you loved your job, you loved us more. You could have easily left us with a stranger for a babysitter and let someone else take us to school, to dance, and to all of our activities. That probably would have been the easiest decision. But that's not how you wanted your children to be raised.

You didn't want some stranger looking after your babies. You didn't trust someone else to take care of us to the fullest. So you did what most people couldn't do and decided to give up your beloved job and took on the job of full-time mom.

It's quite impressive to raise six kids. Being a mom is more than just cooking and cleaning.

You were the one to make sure we were up and ready for school in the morning.

You were the one to make sure we were doing our homework and succeeding in school.

You were the one to make sure we were fed. You were the one to make sure we had a happy childhood by making us feel special and loved. You were the one to make sure we had clothes to wear and toys to play with.

I hung onto you when I was a toddler because you were my safe place. I'm 20 years old now, yet I still hold your hand and rest my head on your shoulder in public because you make me feel safe. That's one of the best feelings in the world.

One of the biggest compliments I can give you is the fact that I don't want to leave home. That's because you gave me a warm, loving home my entire life. I always knew home was my safe place because you were there. I know one day I'll have to leave, but you've made it clear to me and the rest of us that we are always welcome at home. I've realized though that I don't need the house to feel safe; just you and I'm always going to need my safe place in life.

You're my best friend forever.

Happy birthday to my safe place.