Dear Role Model,

I know I tell you all the time how amazing you are and how much you mean to me. But I rarely tell you why you mean so much to me. As I have grown up, you have walked alongside me through any trial and celebrated with me in all my victories. I want you to really know the impact you have made on my life and I hope this letter gets that across.

You have always made me feel safe. I know that anything I go through, I can talk to you without judgement or shame. You've never looked at me differently for any mistake I have made. I have always been one to hide my feelings and fake a smile around people so no one asks me what's wrong because I don't want to talk about it and burden others with my problems. But I can be real around you and feel comfortable to let you in to how I'm feeling. When I doubt myself, you encourage me and lift me up. Thank you for believing in me, especially when I didn't believe in myself because your love and support kept me going through some of my hardest times.

Thank you for never giving up on me. I have had multiple people in my life give up on me and walk away. You have been a constant in my life ever since I was little. You were a friendly face I would recognize around church when I was a kid and now you're someone I can walk alongside and grow with. You have caught me when I have fallen, helped me get back on my feet, and you walk with me through each stage of life. I wouldn't have made it this far on my path without you. You are so inspiring in my eyes and many others as well.

You have been an outstanding example on how to be an amazing mom, loyal friend, and remarkable leader. You have taught me how to be a strong and dependable leader to those around me. You have showed me how to be strong when life gets really hard. You have been an example on the kind of friend and mentor I want to be. But most importantly, you have taught me how to walk with Jesus and trust Him in all things. Something I was always taught growing up but watching you live that out is what truly inspired me.

You are such a beautiful woman inside and out. There isn't a single thing I would change about you. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for loving me like I was your own. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me. Thank you for being like my second mom. Thank you for the time you take to help me through life. Thank you for celebrating my victories with me. Thank you for giving me hope to keep going when I felt I had lost it all. I would not be here today without your love and support. But most importantly, thank you for being you. You are the strongest woman I know and the best role model I could have ever asked for. I don't know what I did to deserve you in my life but I thank God all the time for you. The world is a better place because of you. I am a better person because of you.

Love you lots