Calling all Lorelai and Rory Gilmores of the world...

..

One thing that really bothers me, is the fact that there are people out there who have the audacity to pass judgement on single mothers.

Let me make one thing clear: when you are raised by a single mother, your quality of life does not decrease. In fact, I wouldn't have wanted to be raised any other way. My mom is the most beautiful person I have ever known. Being a single mom is hands down the hardest job on the planet. Raising kids on your own while working full-time to support the family is a task that only the strongest of women can take on. Looking back now, I truly don't know how she did it. My brother and I never went without. She never complained, she never showed any signs of stress or concern. Now that I am a senior in college, at a university that she has put me through on her own, I simply cannot fathom how she has done everything for me my entire life.

Although I could never find the words to adequately thank her, this letter will be my humble attempt.

Dear Mom,

Thank you for the countless amount of sacrifices you have always made for us without hesitation or a single complaint. I am so thankful for every night you stayed up late baking cookies for us (especially after we waited until bedtime to inform you that we needed to bring them to school for the bake sale the next day). Thank you for working so hard to provide for us, always making sure that we had nice clothes to wear and our favorite meals in front of us at the dinner table every night. Beyond that, thank you for always going to the end of the Earth and back to fill our home with all of the love in the world. You worked full-time and came home to the full-time job of being a mother to children who needed your attention all the time. Thank you for always being interested in our days, and how we felt. Thank you for devoting your entire life to promoting our happiness. Your selflessness has given me everything I could have ever asked for in this life and more.

You have been the woman I have aspired to be since I was stumbling around the house in your heels as a toddler. You have always been the woman whose strength is endless, whose love is unconditional in all its ways, and whose hugs kept all of my worries and fears at bay. You led by example. You always taught me to be independent by proving you don't have to count on anyone to support you. You always told me that the only person you need to be able to count on is yourself. You taught me that everything in this world has to be earned, and is never just handed to you. You taught me to never give up, and to push through the hardest of days. Perseverance was a quality you always demonstrated and always stressed the importance of. You always had the integrity and strength to persevere through any and all obstacles thrown your way, and you never complained. Your composure never broke, your dedication to us never wavered.

You gave me the biggest gift of all: I was always able to just be a kid. I never knew when you were scared, stressed, tired, or having a difficult time. My biggest concern was racing my little brother outside, trying to beat him to the swing set to claim my favorite swing. Thank you for carrying every burden for us so that we never had to worry. I cannot imagine the amount of strength that took. Are you even human? Seriously, I don't know how you did it, but I am thankful every day for the incredibly strong woman you have always been for us and for yourself.

You have been my biggest protector, my safe haven. You have held me as I cried, laughed with me until my stomach hurt, cheered me on in everything I've ever done, and have always been there to listen to everything I have to say. You have always believed in me, we have always dreamed the biggest dreams for my life for as long as I can remember. You also gave me my love for R&B, through the many car rides full of J.Lo and Usher. To this day, I know that there's nothing in this life that Mariah Carey can't serenade me through. Thank you for loving me to an extent that I'll never be able to fully understand or describe. Your love for us has given me everything, Mom. Thank you for that.

As I've grown older, you have become my very best friend. You're still the person I run to. You are the first person I call with exciting news, and the first person I call for advice. You have always told me that there's nothing in this world that I can't tell you, and you have always held true to that promise to me. You have done everything in your power to make sure I succeed in everything I pursue. You have put me through college to give me every opportunity to achieve my goals. You have done it all and have never expected a "thank you" in return. You deserve the most beautiful, heart felt thank you this world has ever seen. Mom, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything you have ever done for us, and for being an incredibly strong example for us to live by our entire lives. I couldn't ask for a better mom, or a better friend than you.

You are my heart and soul. All that I am, and all that I have is because of you. You are everything I aspire to be. I am so proud to call you my mom. You have made a beautiful, successful life for yourself and for our family. My biggest dream in life is to one day become only half of the mother and person you are. I love you more than you could ever know.

XOXO,

Your Daughter