Mom, every year when I was younger, I would always make you a Mother’s Day card with whatever tools I could find lying around the house. But now that I am older and have traded construction paper for a MacBook, I’ve decided to do something a little different that you can maybe reread this from time to time while I am away at college. I could write a book on all of the reasons why you’re my favorite person, but, for now, this article of will have to do.

Thank you for waking me up at the crack of dawn and taking me to all of those sports practices and games growing up. I may not be the most pleasant person to be around when I’ve just woken up, but you continued to put up with me, day after day. Thanks for always being there to cheer me on and for being the first person to meet me at the end of the finish line.

Thank you for being the “cool mom” that all of my friends love. You can make anyone feel welcomed, even when you secretly didn’t like them. Also, sorry I didn’t listen to you when you warned me about them. You were right—they do suck.

Thank you for being the best cook in the world and for making the meals that were so special to our family. I may not be the best cook, but maybe one day, you can teach me your ways.

Thank you for keeping a beautiful home for me to grow up in. Every weekend, you tended the house until it was the home of your dreams, and when we had to move from that home, you made sure our new home was filled with as just as much warmth and laughter as the first.

Thank you reading to me every night as a child, even though I would always fall asleep before we got to the ending. And thanks for not minding when I asked you to reread it again the next night.

Thank you for picking me up from school all of those times I didn’t have a ride home and you were at work. Things were really tough when Dad worked out of state and Maw Maw got sick, but you still did everything you could to make sure that I made it home safe.

Thank you for building a great career for yourself. We both know that you’re the reason why your office has gotten all of those awards recently, and I think it’s about time you’ve patted yourself on the back.

Thank you for never being one of those moms to ask for “me time.” From the moment you got home, you wanted to spend every moment with me and my sister. Now that I go to school a few hours away, I miss those little moments.

Thank you for not murdering me all of those times I caused you headaches and stress during the dreadful teenage years. I couldn’t have wished for a better mom than you.

Thank you for always being there to talk, especially when I felt like I had no one. You made me feel loved and special, and for that, I am grateful.

Thank you for everything that you do. You’re more than just a mom; you’re a part of me.

Love, your son,

Dominick