Getting older you start to realize who your real friends and family are. You start to realize how much they have really done for you throughout your entire life. Most days I am busy and don’t get to appreciate every person in my life. We get so tied up in college, homework, work, friends or just hanging out listening to the newest music released on Spotify. Being so busy has made me forget about the people who have stood by me, through thick and thin. As well as helped make me become the person that I am today, that person is, my mother. So here it goes…

Dear Mom,

I want to start by telling you how much I love you. I know I that I don’t always show it. As well as I know I’m always busy so we can’t just hang and do as much stuff as we like to do together anymore. I know I don’t say it often enough but, I love you. You are the most influential woman in my life, and you always have been. Ever since I was little you have been my hero, and you forever will be. I have always looked up to you. I know that when you were little life was never easy for you. Even now that your older, and have me as a daughter, life still isn’t easy because I know I can be difficult. Over the years you have sacrificed a lot in your life to raise me to be the person that I am today. That means more to me than you will ever know. I will never be able to fully express how much that means to me. You are the strongest person I know, who is constantly full of love and tons of motivation. I am truly and eternally grateful to have a mother like you in my life.

The next thing I really want to say to you is… thank you which I know are two words you rarely hear. But these two words go a long way when they are eventually said. Thank you, is so little compared to all the amazing things you have done and been there for, and still continue to be there for. Thank you for when my dad didn’t want to step up and be a real man you were there. Thank you for being there through all of the first steps, words, punishments. Thank you for being there for all the first days of school, first surgeries, and all the times I got sick. Thank you for all the countless number of hugs. Thank you for all the advice that you have given me through rough times. Thank you for listening to me rant about stuff even though it takes me forever to get to the point. Thank you for reminding me that no matter how annoying I may be… which I know I really can be, that you will still love me no matter what. Thank you for dealing with all of my flaws and obsessions. Thank you for always making me all the famous chicken … even extra for my friends. Thank you for showing me that it is okay to make mistakes. Thank you for showing me that being me is the best thing that I possibly could ever be. Thanks for always being the cool mom that all my friends love.

Finally, Mom, I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for all the times that I disrespected you or didn’t listen to you. I know that there have been multiple times that I have disappointed you over the years. As well as numerous times where I have chosen to spend time with friends instead of you. I know I give you attitude and fight with you a lot but most of the time it is stupid and I don’t mean to, I just have your attitude and stubbornness which makes me in many ways laugh. But that still doesn’t mean I should do what I do. I am really sorry for everything that I do to piss you off.

Mom, I really wanted to write this to you because, I am really getting to that point in my life where I am getting older. I am going out with friends and meeting new people. Going to school, trying my hardest to make you proud. Soon I will meet someone, graduate, have a job and be off on my own. And yes I said meet someone! But for now, I am starting to realize things and not take many things for granted. I am getting older and I am not a baby anymore! I have a life! Granted I am not getting too old to move out yet, sorry but your still stuck with me for a little while longer. But now in my life I am realizing the little things which make a difference. You have made a huge impact on my life from when I was a little Polly wog, to a baby inside you, to infancy, growing up going to school, becoming a teenager, graduating high school, going to college and becoming the adult I am today. You sincerely mean so much to me, granted I may not show it when I piss you off and talk back. But hopefully, you can forgive me for all the crap I give you, because you deserve the world for being the best mother to me. I love you to death mom. You are my hero, and best friend in the entire world and nobody will ever be able to change that no matter what. Thank you for always loving me unconditionally.

I love you.