Dear Mom,

I have always had best friends. I have always had friends to go to the movies with, to shop with, and to have sleepovers with, but when times got tough those friendships disappeared. No matter how tough things have gotten, you have always been there. I have always thought the friendships I have made through the years would stay permanent, some of them have, but most of them have not. The only person that has truly ever been there has been you.

Thank you for all that you have sacrificed to make my life what it is now. Thank you for being there for me after school when I had a bad day or at 2 A.M. when I am sick.

Thank you for being a drill sergeant when I needed it. Thank you for reassuring me during our arguments that after that 'stage' in our lives we would be best friends. In all reality, we have always been best friends. Even on the days that I thought I hated you, I didn't.

Thank you for always giving the best advice. Sometimes I think that you don't know what you are talking about, but you always end up being right.

I stop myself all the time because I speak and I swear it is not me speaking. I hear you. I say things I promised myself I would never say. For instance, in my apartment after I clean, "This place is already a mess again! Doesn't anyone appreciate the hard work I put in!?" I don't know how many times you have said that at home, but I never thought I would be saying it.

No matter what happens in life, I know that I will never lose you. You will always be my number one fan, my therapist, my best friend and most importantly my mom. I love you.