You are an everyday superhero and I know you don't hear that enough. From the time I was born, there have been no weekends off or summer breaks. You are on the clock 24/7, 365 days a year, for 18+ years. If that doesn't qualify as a superhero, I don't know what does.

I can't even imagine how hard it is to raise three kids. But you didn't just raise us, you shaped us to be who we are today. You molded us into the future selves we always wrote to as kids. You are the reason I am who I'm proud to be. From letting us make our own mistakes so we can learn from them, to preventing us from making the same mistakes you did growing up, I have learned everything I know from you. You we never too overbearing, but just overbearing enough that we could never stray too far from the right path.

You taught me to stand up for myself because you were sure as hell never afraid to. You taught me humor because I was a very dark and sensitive child that didn't know how to laugh at myself. But there's no shortage of laughter around you. You taught me openness because you were always easy to talk to about what was going on in my life. You taught me honesty because I know, from past experience, that you hate lying and I will be much better off if I just tell you the truth right off the bat. You taught me forgiveness because I gave you plenty of reasons not to forgive, but you always did. You taught me how to cook, even though I will always prefer to come home and have a meal cooked by you. And you taught me strength because no matter what hand you were dealt, you always faced everything head on.

Thanks to you, I grew up in a supportive and loving home. Although we are an obnoxiously loud family, I always look forward to coming home and that is something not everyone can say. However, I don't just want to thank you. I also want to apologize.

I'm sorry I never believed you when you said you knew what was best for me. Every time I neglected to listen to you, I ended up seeing how right you were. When I brought home two cats that were found in a dumpster downtown, I insisted it would be easy to take care of them and I would do it no problem. It was not easy and I had many problems. And yet you were still there to pick me up, just like you were every time I fell because I didn't let you catch me.

I'm sorry I always fought you on stupid things, just adding to your already very full plate. And I'm sorry I never really thought about how full of a plate you really had. A full time job, three kids, four pets, bills to pay, jobs to take us to, the list goes on. You did your job tirelessly, with little to no recognition. And I'm sorry.

You are my superhero because I will never see a day without your support. Because you gave up your life for me. Because you still manage to cook delicious meals and have all my friends over for dinner. Because you stay up late getting things done that you couldn't fit into the day while I sleep soundlessly. Because you are loving, supportive, strong, hilarious, and feisty. And anytime someone recognizes those qualities in me, I am proud to say I got it from my mother.