Dear Mom,

Caring and providing for children on your own is no easy job and I know how difficult it can be on you and your sanity. First and foremost, I want to thank you for instilling independence and strength in me. Watching you take on life and parenthood by yourself is absolutely inspiring. While stressful times have hit you the hardest, your positivity through the bad is enough for anyone to admire. You’ve given up so much for so many people and I promise it doesn’t go unnoticed.

From the awkward middle school stage to graduating high school to entering college, thank you for showing me immeasurable amounts of love and support. And also for assuring me that you’ll always be there for me when the going gets tough. I hope you know that wherever life takes me, I’ll always be there for you, too.

Over the years, you’ve taken on the role as my mother, my father, my mentor and everything in between. You are a superhero in its truest form and you deserve all of the appreciation in the world. Not a day goes by that you're not doing something for someone else. Whether it be taking care of me when I'm sick or leaving work to drop off my lunch that I forgot at home, I've never met a more selfless person than you. You’ve had to work twice as hard as a lot of other parents, but your perseverance and vigor are also doubled.

The lessons you've taught me are worth more than anything I could ever learn in a classroom. You've showed me that there is a light at the end of every dark tunnel and that no challenge is too big. You are the brightest, most influential person in my life and I hope one day I can take everything you’ve taught me and pass it along to my children.

You’ve been through a lot -- a lot more than most. There have been so many ups and downs it’s hard to remember them all. You've proven your strength time and time again and there's no one else I know that could have taken on all of things you have. I look up to you in so many ways. I'm so proud to say, "My mother is the most beautiful, caring, hard-working woman I've ever met and she raised the person I am today all on her own."

A million thank you’s will never show enough gratitude for everything you’ve done for me. I couldn't have asked for a better mom.

I love you,