To my not Mom but also basically my Mom,

Thank you so much for always being there for me, through everything. You have done everything from teaching me how to read (Literally, she was one of my teachers in Kindergarten) to handing me my high school diploma (Quite literally, as well). For all of the time in between, you have never failed me, and in fact have gone quite above and beyond for me at all times during my life.

Not only have you supported me through all of the years, but you gave me one of my best friends ever, your daughter!! I mean really, what more can we ask you to do? A person I can eat ice cream or Panera with whenever or just someone to drive around whenever we get bored. Being besties with your daughter has basically given me another sister, which I could not be more grateful for.

Not only have you been there for me, but you have also been an amazing friend to my Mom. Watching two people who could not be more opposite be best friends is one of the coolest, and most hilarious friendships to watch. I should not say complete opposites because you two do have some amazing qualities in common, like your big hearts. You both care so much for everyone around you and you always put your whole heart into everything you do. I truly could not have better role models in my life.

From our vacations together to the school year where I knew you were always just a hallway away and to now, still two hours away but yet you make me feel like I'm still at home. Your check-ins and random little texts never fail to make me smile. I never knew how lucky I got to have such a relationship in my life, until I got to college and tried explaining why I was texting my Mom's best friend/ my kindergarten teacher/ my friend's Mom/ the swim team Mom/the lady we vacation with/ my other Mom. Apparently, this is a unique relationship and not everyone is still in contact with the lady that taught them how to read and as crazy as it is, they don't go on vacations together. Through making all new friends and sharing my childhood stories, I realized you were the main star in about 90% of them, "Wait, Emily, the same lady that you watched almost drown in the Atlantic Ocean was also one of your Kindergarten teachers?" ..So yeah .. kinda hard to explain. But moral of the story, she did not drown, she can teach people how to read, and she is a pretty amazing human.

Kindergarten? Taught me how to read. Swim team? Always had that camera out, because we all know my Mom, bless her heart, did not have an operating camera. High school graduation? Handed me my diploma. Graduation party? Decorated the entire house and made good use of those pictures my Mom (shockingly) did not own. Going away to college? You sure had that survival kit ready to go (and yes, I did need all of those items). Snacks? Always had your homemade Chex Mix ready. Moving away from home? Can always count on your texts to check in on me.

Once again, thank you so much for everything you have ever done for me, but more specifically thank you for being you, because you freaking rock!!! You do so many amazing things for people and this world and could use a lot more appreciation, so this one is for you!! Thanks for being your loving, smart, wonderful, and hilarious self, please never change because you will always be a role model for me. I hope I can grow up (Eh, maybe not completely grow up) and be half the person you are one day.

All the love,

Your other daughter, XOXO