It is always this time of year when I need to get my things ready to go back to school that I get sentimental and start to miss elements of home before I even leave. I always will miss my cats, my dad, my bed and my refrigerator. However, I never want to leave my mom. She is my rock, a well-oiled machine that never seems to quit running, a caring friend and the best cheerleader a daughter could ever ask for. You were the reason I chose my college.You are the reason I love everything I do. You are the reason I am alive and for that I cannot thank you enough.

Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for feeding me (I mean love and food are basically the same thing). Thank you for making me a legacy at school. It really is so cool that I can look at places on campus and have a constant reminder that even from an hour and a half away that you are cheering me on to do good in school and always be my best. Thank you for also giving me ideas of (good) bad ideas for things to do around campus.

Thank you for handling situations with such grace. I know you are a lot harder on yourself but you have no idea how much I look up to you for being so positive even when you do not want to. You are my super hero.

Thank you for being my twin. I think it really is special that we look so much alike. It means so much to me because I look like such a beautiful woman. From when we were toddlers through our teenage years. I honestly believe we will look alike even when I am your age now. You look like your mom too. This gives me a connection to the wonderful woman that I never had the pleasure of knowing but according to several I share many qualities with. It really means so much to me. More than can be described in words.

Thank you for making me feel beautiful. Even when I feel my ugliest, I know you think I am beautiful inside and out and that makes me feel more than successful that you think so highly of me even when I do not think highly of myself. You have believed in me before I learned to believe in myself. It is because of you that I have the confidence I do. You have held me up when I could not stand alone and walked beside me every step of the way since I learned to walk standing right beside me in case I topple over.

Thank you fro training me to be the cat lady that I know I will end up being. Ever since I was born, I have had cats and I thank you. They have made me an animal lover and I love my little fur-sibs. Thank you for them.

Thank you for taking me on random excursions to different places on our days off. I love when we get a day off and can go somewhere where we love and have a ton of fun. These are the memories I will never forget and will cherish forever.

Your hugs are the best. I will always love the last hug before I go to college. It feels like it lasts forever. I love you and I will miss you. I will always