To my beautifully elegant Mama: Thank you.

Thank you for always being there when I call, no matter how meticulous or mundane its purpose. In some incredulous way, you always know exactly what to say to cheer me up, make me laugh, and remind me that sometimes I do take myself too seriously. You are the first person I call when something’s gone wrong, and the first person I call when something’s gone right. You share in my accomplishments, and walk me through my defeats. You remind me of how important it is to be thankful for what I have, and to acknowledge those things I am thankful for each day.

Thank you for teaching me how to be someone I can be proud of; not that that was very hard, learning from your example. Watching you all these years has shown me grace, and confidence and strength, in ways that not many others could have shown me. You have taught me how to forgive, both myself and those around me, and that life is too short for petty arguments. You have shown me how to see the good in everyone, even when it may be hard to find. Every day I strive to be a woman you too can be proud of. And while I may fall short of that sometimes, I can always feel your support behind me, guiding me forward in a better direction.

Thank you for teaching me patience. Something that is by no means a virtue, rather something that I must work towards each day -- whether it be practicing patience in my relationships with others, learning to patiently wait for something I want so very badly to happen, or granting myself patience when I am unable to accomplish something right away. It may not be easy to do, and it may end in frustration more times than not, but it has taught me appreciation in the face of those things that are not handed to me, and thus shown me humility in the face of my victories.

Thank you for outlining for me what is important. For showing me that family and friends are invaluable pieces of my life that I often take for granted. Thank you for giving me such an amazing place to call home, one that will always be there for me to head back to no matter how far I go in search of myself. And even more importantly, thank you for teaching me that no matter how many places I learn to call home over the years, your’s will always be apart of mine.

Finally, thank you for being my best friend. You know me better than anyone, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t know how I would survive our houseful of boys without you (as much as we love them). I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime, and I know we only have more exciting adventures to look forward to.

All my love to you mom!