With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would only be appropriate to thank our mothers and all the women in our lives for everything they have done for us. Being a mother entails a lot more work than many understand. Our mothers have sacrificed their time to attend to us and to make sure that we get to have all the opportunities in the world. They encourage us to take chances and they are always there behind us. I have many female role models in my life that have taught me how to be the lady I am today and for that, I thank you.

To my best friend

Thank you for being the lovely lady in my life that keeps me sane every day. You have your own stuff to deal with, but you always seem to put my needs before yours. I am so thankful for being able to learn from you and to grow up into a beautiful woman with you. Whether it’s bursting out in song or laughing over food with you, you are my best friend and I won the lottery with you. You are a gorgeous human being and I can only strive to be half the woman you are.

To my cousins

You ladies are my entire life. I want you to know that I would do anything for any one of you and that you ladies have shaped me the most. Thank you for keeping me young and remembering to be silly. The inside jokes we share make the relationship so special that no one else can share this special bond. The excitement showed when I visit makes me feel welcomed and loved. You ladies have taught me that you can still have fun as an adult. I love you all.

To my aunts

Thank you for being the “cool” ones in the family. I enjoy spending time with you because you make me feel equal to you. You are the ones who looked at me as an adult since I was a little girl. You made me feel important and showed me that I must be assertive in life to get what I want. Your kindness and ambition have inspired me to act as you and to strive for greatness. Lastly, thank you for loving me as your own child.

To my grandmas

Sadly, I have not had the chance to learn from you ladies, for you have passed away before I had the chance. However, even with your absence, I have learned a great deal from you from what you have taught your sons and daughters. Your sparkle and dazzle still shine through to me, and I have molded into spitting images of you. You ladies rock, and I miss you both. Thank you for giving me hope that everything will be OK.

To my guardian angel

There is no other way that I can thank you for everything that you have done for me. You have taught me how to tackle problems head on and to not be afraid of the outcomes. You have taught me how to be brave through the hardest moments of my life. When I needed a smile, you were there to make me laugh. You encouraged me to talk about things that others wouldn’t dare to bring up and for being real with me when I was being unreasonable. Your strength, courage and wisdom make me want to be just like you and help me every day to do so. You make me want to be a better person. Thank you for being you.

To my sister

Thank you for being the best big sister a girl could ask for. You were the one who taught me how to dress right and helped shaped my personality. I watched you as we grew up and wanted to mirror every step you took. Thank you for teaching me how to dance and to have fun. All the exciting things you have done have shown me that I could take chances. Thank you for not judging me for my obnoxious weirdness and for judging me when I needed you to put me on the right track. Thank you for paving an exciting road that I can joyfully use an example through life. Thank you for being the most amazing sister ever. I love you!

And to my mother

The person I look up to the most, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for understanding my emotional stages and helping me get through them even if I wasn’t the nicest to you back. Whether it’s a phone call or a short venting session in the bathroom, you have allowed me to express how I feel and somehow used your magical powers to make me feel better. You have made so many sacrifices for me to be able to do whatever I dreamed of. Even when we aren’t on the same page, thank you for trusting in me. Thank you for being all the things I had dreamed you to be. Thank you for being there when I least expected. Thank you for being my mother.

I love you all more than the number of stars in this universe. Happy Mother’s Day to the women in my life.