Dear Mom,

When you read this, I might be taking a walk or talking to someone new or window shopping or trying to write an essay, but I will be thinking of you every time something or someone remotely interesting enters the picture. You are with me wherever I go.

Your advice is the angel on my shoulder when I need to make a tough decision. Your love is the extra push I need to get out of bed on a day when I’m feeling so low, I can barely sit up straight. Your support is the conclusion of a ten-page research paper, the deal-breaker in a job interview, and the last load of laundry. Your bravery is a reminder that I am smart enough to make the decision to step out of my comfort zone if I know it will be worth it. Your empathy is the help I offer to a woman crying in public. Your work ethic is my motivation. Your good taste in movies is my character. Your consideration is a routine morning text message and evening phone call that always starts with, “How are you?” and always ends with, “Love you more. Oh wait, I forgot to tell you..."

Somehow, you are always there for me without ever telling me exactly what to do and what is best for me. You do not control me; you advise me. My world has always been in my hands, but yours have always been underneath, like a safety net, ready to catch it when I lose my grip. I will always be grateful.

Thank you for teaching me that the right amount of sun does wonders to the way you feel, sometimes all you have to do is listen, always take off one accessory before leaving the house, don’t invest in a pair of Birkenstocks, don’t spray perfume all over yourself, make lists, take deep breaths, don't worry about what anybody else thinks, don’t take anything for granted, don’t overthink that text message (but don’t underthink it, either), take a Melatonin, take an Uber, make sure your sister is doing OK, call your grandmother, write a letter to your uncle, go to bed as soon as you’re done with that assignment, you can't think that way, and nothing is ever going to turn out exactly as you expected it to, whether it be a friendship, relationship, your first apartment, your report card, or the funky dress that looked great until the second you walked out of that store.

Thank you for turning me into this person and teaching me how to live in such a strange world. I feel sorry for anyone who has ever looked past you or taken you for granted, because you are my best friend, my therapist, the brightest star in my universe, and most importantly, my mother.

Love,