I just want to start out about saying this: Mom, you are the strongest person I know.

When I was younger, and you had to put going to college on pause, so you could take care of me; I didn't realize what a big deal that was until I was old enough to understand it. Now, not only do you have several associates degrees, a bachelor's degree, but you are now working your way through a master's degree! You are so driven and you never let anything hold you back from your dreams.

Even when you are going through financial and emotional troubles, you always make sure you are available to anyone who could ask for your help. Even though I am approximately 7 hours (440 miles) away, I am always the one you call to talk to about your day. I can always count on you to help me when I am in need, even when me being in need is just me asking how long to bake chicken or how to make spaghetti.

You have made me into the person I am now: a strong, independent woman who tries her best at everything she does. You have given me my intelligence and my OCD, and my ability to get stressed out way too easily! In short, you have been the best mom you can be, especially to me, but also to my brother and sister.

Growing up, you have always made sure that we had a roof over our heads, something in the kitchen to eat, and someone there who would love and support us unconditionally. Of course, you have your imperfections, but that is what makes you a great mom. You make mistakes and you own up to them. You let us make mistakes, so we can grow as people.

When I was in high school, you were there for me when I got my heart broken by boys you already warned me about. You supported me when I got my first bad grade in a class because the teacher assumed I was cheating on tests. You supported me through all of my college decisions, and even though I know you wanted me to stay somewhere close to you, you also wanted me to pursue my dreams, so you supported my decision to go out-of-state.

Now that I am in college, you still continue to support me. First, it was helping me pay for my tuition. Then, it was when I was going through a rough time with classes and had to make the hard decision of changing my major. Whatever I was going through, you were always there to talk to me and walk me through everything.

When I got my first apartment, you even helped pay my deposit because I obviously had no idea how expensive it would be. I am so grateful you have allowed me to grow into the person I am becoming. I am so appreciative that you have shown me how to have a great work ethic and let me know that it is okay to struggle financially.

I want you to know that you deserve the world; you deserve way more than I could ever give to you! That is how appreciative I am of you. You have made such an impact on me and have helped shaped who I am. Your arms are always open no matter how badly I mess up and that means the world to me.

I was so excited to be able to discuss tattoo ideas with you a few weeks ago and as I write this, my idea to dedicate my first tattoo to you is only more solidified. You mean everything to me and I want the world to know what an amazing, kind, and supportive mom you are.

I love you, mom.