Mama,

I have started writing this letter to you a million times, just to delete the whole thing and start over again. I struggle to fully capture in words how much you mean to me. Every time I try to write this, I fall short of what I want to say. Because how am I supposed to express you how much you mean to me? You have taken care of me from the moment I was born. You have been there for me through everything. Every tear, laugh, smile, heart-break, and everything in between. You have been there on my worst days and my best days. You are my best friend. I love how we can stay up late in our PJs, eating popcorn and watching television. I love our long walks and our adventures to new places together. I love how I can tell you anything, and you won’t judge me for it. I love everything about you, even when you annoy me or bug me or nag me. I love you even when you are cranky, even though I am cranky more often. Even though we fight sometimes, I love you just the same.

Mama, you are the strongest person I know, you have been my rock during the hardest parts of my life. You have fought a million wars and won every single battle. You are a warrior, and you are my hero. There has never been a time where the words, “I don’t want to turn out like my mother” has even crossed my mind. Because I do want to be like you, just like you. I want to be able to come out the other side of a fight and see the good, not only the bad. I have seen you lose friends and have people be absolutely horrible to you (which I don’t understand because you are pretty great) and you are upset for a minute, and then I watch you realize that you deserve better and I want to be able to do that. I want to be just like my mama.

Mama, not only are you my role model, you are my teacher. You have taught me so many things. You taught me that the best way to start my day feeling confident is to stand with my hands on my hips like a superhero in our kitchen when the sun shines just right though the window. You have taught me that the best way to feel better after a bad day is to turn on the stereo and dance around like nobody is watching. You have taught me that it is okay not to be okay and sometimes you just need to cry. You taught me to leave the people who don’t make me happy behind and focus on the people who do make me happy. You taught me how sometimes the best thing to do is just listen. I want to thank you for those lessons.

Mama, most of all I want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Thank you for making me smile when I am down. Thank you for teaching me all the things that you have. Thank you for knowing just when I need a hug and when I need to be by myself. Thank you for every load of laundry you’ve done and every dish you’ve washed. Thank you for taking care of me no matter what. Thank you for everything you have sacrificed to make sure that I am safe and happy. Thank you for loving me the way you do.

I love you, Mama. I love you so much.