To the most beautiful woman I know,

There are not enough words in the English language to tell you "thank you" enough and tell you how much I appreciate you. I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you. Thank you for everything you do for me and everything that you’ve ever done for me.

Thank you for always having a roof over my head and food on my plate. I know being a single mom probably wasn’t easy and you probably got a lot of grief for it, but I want you to know that I truly appreciate everything you did. I know you might’ve felt alone at times, but everything you’ve done for me does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for not being that typical PTA mom. Of course, there were times when I was younger when I wanted you to be like all the other moms. I wanted you to turn in forms on time, I wanted you to be more involved in school and I wanted you to make more of an effort to be friends with my friends’ moms. And, of course, there are some times like that now, too, as well, but none of that compares to the mom that I got.

I’m thankful you weren’t at school every single day, I’m glad you never hounded me about tests and homework and I appreciate you trusting me to do my work on my own, coming to you when I knew that I needed help. That’s helped me build character, become more responsible and set new goals for myself. Thank you for not being the typical PTA mom, and thank you for being my mom. I wouldn’t trade you for the world.

Thank you for putting my needs and wants above your own. I know you want things in life that you often can’t get because of my wants, and I’m sorry for that. I appreciate you taking care of me as much as you can always trying to make me happy. I hope as I reach adulthood you can put your wants first instead of mine.

Thank you for teaching me the responsibility of working for my money to do things with my friends and to get what I want. When some of my other friends just got money from their parents to go out, you always expected me to help you in the yard or find some kind of job to pay for it. When I wanted to go to concerts, you always helped me pay for them and gave me time to pay you back. Thank you for putting that work ethic in me.

You are so beautiful, Mama. I hope you know that. I hope you know that I see that in you. You are the best mom I could ask for. I’m sorry you sometimes feel invisible, forgotten and irreplaceable. You are none of those things. I try my hardest every day to make time for you and to show you how I appreciate you. I love you, Mom. Thank you for all you’ve done these past 17 years.

Love,

Your daughter.