Dear Mom,

I can remember the countless times of fun we had when I was younger.

All the park dates, trail explorations, and mini tea parties that would make up most of our day. The times you gave up work to be a stay at home mom for me and my sister, making sure we had the most responsible maternal figure in our lives. The times you would reprimand me for something I thought was absolutely ridiculous but in reality kept me out of harms way and taught me lessons I would use later on in the future.

Thank you for being a great listener.

You're always great at keeping secrets and knowing what to say. Sometimes you would jokingly stray away from what I was talking about for a couple minutes then come back with the perfect answer to everything. You knew how to read my mind and say the words I would think in my head but never know how to communicate. It's like we're telepathic in our own special way.

Thank you for being a shoulder to cry on.

I can't tell you how many times you've been a buoy for my sea of tears and sporadic outbreaks these past couple years. You've been through many of my broken hearts and unmet promises and I'm thankful for that.

Thank you for loving me so much that you taught me to love myself. God, there was so many times I would hate myself and you would always tell me that I was always the most beautiful person in the room. It honestly took a while but because of you I finally see it mom.

Thank you for showing me what it means to be happy.

We never had the most expensive gadgets or houses or education, but by god we built our own extravagant kingdom just by being happy and having wholesome hearts. I loved being in school and having the happiest (and craziest) mom there was while my friends were in awe from how energetic and positive you always are.

Thank you for believing in me when no one else could.

You are one of the sole reasons I am in college right now. You placed me on the highest pedestal and made me realize my worth and what I am actually capable of. Your confidence in me allows me to feel confidence in myself. I can assure you that you are one of biggest influencers for applying to nursing school as you always told me to reach for the stars no matter what.

I know you hear this all the time but I love you mom.

You mean the absolute world to me and nothing would ever change that. I know for the past 20 years you think I haven't been listening to your nonsense and little pieces of advice but oh how I have. I remember every bit of it and I am grateful for it all. You are my idol always and forever and just because I'm all grown up now doesn't mean that will change. You're always my best friend in my book.

Love always,

Your Savan Banan