Dearest momma,

I'll just go ahead and start out by saying that I love you very much! You mean the world to me and this letter is to thank you for being my mom. So let's just start this!

Thank you for being my mom and not my friend. I know it must be hard just being my mom because I'm so cool and awesome but thanks for being the one to hold me down and keep me from screwing up my life! You always know what's best for me even when I don't think it is. That being said, thank you for always taking care of me. You made sure I always got to school on time and that I always got my homework done. You let me have my freedom but not too much (not that I ever did anything anyway) so I didn't grow up sheltered but I had fun.

Thank you for sending me to my high school. This is one of the biggest things that I am thankful for. I got a better education and I made better friends. I got the chance to explore my love of singing and that building is where I officially decided on what I wanted to do with my life. To go along with that, thank you for letting me go off to college. I know it's five hours away and it's hard for you cause you miss me, but you let me follow my dreams and come here further my life. I know you hate me being gone for so long, but I still appreciate everything you've done and all the sacrifices you've made for me to come here. Thank you for stalking the boys I like to make sure they're good enough for your baby. Others may think it's weird but little do they know you're the reason a lot of boys have been kicked out of my life. And not even just boys! Toxic friends were booted to the curb as well. You had a hunch that they were bad for me and even though I didn't believe you at first I always knew you were right. Mothers truly do know best!

Thank you SO much for not shutting my dreams down. I know I've already said it earlier but my dream is to be an athletic trainer for MLB, and not once have you told me I couldn't do it. You've pushed me from the beginning to try my best and to never EVER quit (because momma didn't raise no quitter) and to make myself known in the program. You did all this so I had the best chance at doing what I want to do. And finally, thank you for loving me the way I am. You could be like other parents and not love me but luckily for me you love me unconditionally. You are my hero, my idol, and most importantly, my mother. You are the woman I strive to be like. So thanks mom, for being you and for shaping me to the woman I am today. I love you!

Love,

Shelby