Dear Mom,
It would be wrong to say that I never realized how much you truly mean to me until I got to college. I have always known that you are one of the biggest parts of my life. Since birth you have not only been my mother, but also my inspiration, my right-hand woman, my number one fan, and my glowing source of light whenever my days are dark. Ultimately, I could never find the words to thank you enough for everything you have provided me throughout all of the years of my life.
As my senior year of high school began to dwindle to the end, I often dreamt of what college life would entail. I imagined meeting a ton of new friends, going out to parties, pulling all-nighters to study for exams, and for the first time ever, being my full independent self. However, I never seemed to think about all that I would leave behind by packing up and moving away to my university. I knew I would eventually abandon the town I grew up in, the school I attended for years, the friends I experienced everything with, and the familiarities of the places that I knew all too well. However, I never considered what it would be like leaving you. Everything about being your daughter just comes so naturally to me. I could not imagine not having you there everyday to do all of your mom-like things. As the start of my first semester of college approached, the time arrived for you to move me in to my dorm room, give me your final hugs and kisses, and drive back to the place that I called home. Everything felt so unfamiliar without you there. Suddenly, I was responsible for doing everything for myself. Things I never even realized that you did became apparent and now it was my job to do them. I was so excited for my first breath of independence, but all at once I could not help but find myself missing you more and more each day.
Things got easier as time went on. Without a doubt, college has only strengthened our love. With each day I spend away from you, I grow more grateful for who you are. I realize every little thing you do for me. I notice all of the small ways that you mold me into the woman that I continue to become. I remind myself of how much I look like you with every Facebook picture of us that you post. I catch myself mimicking your behavior daily. It just comes so naturally. You are the first person that I go to when I am having a tough day. You are who I share the details of my life with, both good ones and bad ones. You are the one who knows all of my drama and always offers the best and most effective advice. You are the person I text when I need some cheering up. You are who I look forward to seeing every time I come home (and Dad too, of course). You are you and I am eternally thankful for that. We share the same interests, we enjoy the same Netflix shows, we are always there for one another, and essentially we have built a bond that can never be broken (no matter how often we get on each other’s nerves).
It would be wrong to say that I never realized how much you truly mean to me until I got to college. However, it would not be wrong to say that I never realized how much of a best friend you are to me until I got to college. Thank you for making my bad days better, finding every way possible to make me smile, encouraging me to flourish and follow my dreams, enlightening me with your knowledge, and holding my hand through every step of my life- even from hundreds of miles away. You are my back home best friend, my mother, and most likely the person I will eventually become. Mom, this one goes out to you. I love you.
Love,
Your Daughter
