Merriam Webster defines "hero" as a person admired for noble qualities, one who shows great courage.

I define the word hero with a single word.

Grandma.

My grandma has been by my side through everything my entire life. When I say everything, I mean it. Every dance recital, every homecoming, every prom, and every single school event. She refused to miss a second.

The amount of support I have received from this woman is endless. I can't think of a single time she didn't have my back.

There's a saying, "it takes a village to raise a child," and I hold it very close to my heart because of my grandma. I was raised by a single mom, and my grandma was by her side every step of the way.

When my mom went to work, I went to grandma's. My grandma dropped me off and picked me up at school almost every single day until I could drive, and took me to every single dance class.

My grandma has always been my mom and I's backbone. Whenever we need something, she does whatever she has to do to make it happen. She is easily the most selfless person I have ever met. She will sacrifice anything for our family.

Almost everyone I know knows who my grandma is, and she is pretty much known as "Katie's Grandma" to everyone. She has a pretty big reputation for being the one bringing me everything I forget, bringing me lunch "just because," and anything else I could ever ask for.

It's probably pretty safe to say I have the coolest grandma ever. I mean... who else can play "What Do You Meme" with their mom AND grandma and laugh so hard your stomach hurts?

I know I don't thank my grandma nearly enough for everything she does for me, and I will never be able to express how grateful I am for her.

So, thank you, Grandma.

For your endless support.

For getting me everywhere I need to be.

For giving your family everything they could ever need or want.

And for being the most badass grandma out there.