It is difficult to tell what exactly keeps a person from giving up on this ridiculously difficult, yet beautiful journey we call life. Everyone has goals and aspirations that drives them to keep chugging along, but sometimes those aren’t enough. I know I have heaping amounts of internal motivation; however, when I hit a brick wall, I turn and look at a person who has been my motivation to do my best since birth —my mom.

I am 19-years-old and I am not ashamed to say that my mom is my number one fan and my main supporter. She is the one that reminds me that anything is possible. I have continuously watched her go above and beyond for anyone in her life and I inspire to be a woman with such integrity. I don’t thank her enough for all the little things she does for me, and I don’t appreciate her for teaching me that the little things in life are the ones that mean the most.

My mom is the type of person who doesn’t like sushi, but will take me out to lunch for sushi anyways. She is the type of person who will rub my back when I cry, and tell me that it’ll be okay. She will do anything and everything for my brothers and I, without expecting any recognition. In my eyes, she is a hero that saves me from my darkest times.

Although we may not always see eye to eye, my mom and I seek past every obstacle in our path and work through it. She has taught me that we are all human and we all make mistakes, but it’s all okay. She has shown me that it’s not weak to ask for help, and when I ask for her help she is always there to give me everything I need and more. I hope one day my kids will feel as comfortable coming to me for help.

There are not enough thank-you's in the world to express my gratitude towards this one of a kind woman. I regret all the times I have taken you for granted, and when I should have listened to you but didn’t. I appreciate all the homecoming dress alterations, rides to and from dance, being my crutch through college, and most of all a best friend when I need it the most.

She is my overall motivation —my mom. I love her to the moon and back, and there’s no one in the world that could ever fill her shoes. I can always count on her to believe in me when I don’t even believe in myself, and that is the truest form of unconditional love.