Dear Mom,

As Mother’s Day approaches, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to write you something just for you. A way to show you just how much I appreciate you since it is becoming more and more difficult to actually be with you. I wish this article could fully explain how much I love you and how much I genuinely need you in my life, but there are just not enough words to describe how I feel, but I’ll certainly try.

Starting in elementary school, you’ve shown me what it is like to be a present mom while also holding a career that makes a difference. You showed me what success looked like, and raised me to work in that direction. From staying on top of me to get good grades to urging me to go to church every Sunday, you’ve pushed me from an early age to be the best student I can be, as well as the best person I can be.

In middle school, you let me try any sport I wanted to, took me to as many places to experience as possible, and even let me enter a few pageants. Thank you for letting me express myself and find myself from such a young age. Despite my overwhelming dislike for playing soccer and the regret I have for ever considering pageants, I believe that it has all lead to the person that I am today.

Now here I am in college, and we don’t see each other as much. Fortunately, the bond that has been developed over the years remains intact, if not stronger, than the years before. Thank you for letting me call you at minimum three times a day to just talk in between classes, give advice, listen to my professor ranting, or just giving encouraging words. They all mean the world to me and this year wouldn’t have gone nearly as smooth without your role in it all.

I know we disagree and have arguments about the smallest things in life, ranging from anywhere from me dying my hair from the natural color that you love to you getting your nails done without me. I know I hold grudges and develop attitudes about the most pointless things. Thank you for dealing with it and loving me in spite of it all.

You have been such a great mom to my brothers and I. We don’t always show it, and you may not always feel it, but you have helped supply us with the best life possible. You have helped develop us into the people that we are today. You have helped us find our way through the many crazy obstacles life has brought with it. So, thank you, mom.

Thank you for the best family, the best life, and some characteristics that makes people tell me we look just alike (because I secretly love that). I know that wherever I end up in life and whatever it leads me to do, I will always have a shoulder to lean on.

Love you, momma. Happy Mother’s Day.