Dear Mom,

First of all, thank you for being my best friend. There is no one in the world that I trust more than you and you have provided me with so much help and guidance throughout the last seventeen years. You are always there for me, from the most minuscule issue to an issue that is life changing, and for that I am grateful.

I feel so fortunate and lucky that we are best friends. I know so many stories of people who are not close with their mothers and it almost always brings tears to my eyes because they are missing out on the most reliable, best friend they could ever imagine. You are my inspiration, my biggest advocate, and my hero.

The large amount of time we spend together is a large contributor to our close bond. We have very similar interests including shopping, spa days and eating. We can find humor in anything and enjoy talking about the small things that happened during the day. We always crave Nordstrom’s Cafe Chinese Chicken Salads and would go to any length to find a new lipstick that just came out.

The most disparity in our relationship is your undefinable love for pizza, and um, my impartial feelings towards the food. While you can consume pizza basically 5-7 times a week, I cannot bear to see the cheesy delicacy as often. I am grateful that no matter how annoying it could be to be dragged to a pizza place so often, that this is the only thing we disagree with in our relationship.

There is no doubt that this year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for our entire family. We have had highs and lows and more than ever, we have became closer as a mother- daughter duo. You constantly remind me that things will always get better and to never give up on my dreams of becoming a doctor; even though there are things that may set me back in life.

Throughout all of my appointments this year, you have found a way to make every experience fun and memorable. From hitting Ben and Jerry's to Insomnia cookies and even getting lost in the middle of Pennsylvania, we have had something to hysterically laugh at each time. Although this year is been something none of us could ever have imagined, I know we wouldn't have traded our bonding time for anything.

I could undoubtably say that if I could become half the person you are, I am the luckiest girl in the world. However, I feel like I am the luckiest girl right now because you are my mom. You are always there when I fall down (figuratively and literally) but also there to help me back up to bounce back to the strong person I have become. The amount of care, patience and guidance you have afforded Lauren and I is incredible and we are so very lucky to be surrounded by your presence each and every day.

This letter is just a minute token of the immense appreciation I have for you. You have instilled in me at a young age to live by the word "gratitude". A word that is more than a series of nine letters, but an eternal feeling that will last a lifetime.

Happy Mothers Day, I love you.