Mom,

As I get older and the more time I spend away from home, I realize how often I took advantage of what you do for me and how seldom I actually spent quality time with you. This letter is here to thank you, simply because I know I don't say it enough.

Thank you for being there for me, even when I saw you as the enemy. You never left my side. You shaped me into the woman that I am today and I hope to God that I can make you proud. I got my strength, my wisdom, and let's not forget my good looks, all from you. (Okay, maybe we should give dad some credit).

Every day I seem to notice that I am becoming more and more like you, whether it be the things I say or the things that I do. Most women would be afraid of that and I don't understand why. I would do anything to be half of the woman that you are. I would love to have the patience and forgiveness that you possess. There have been numerous times that I have screamed at you, caused you grief and made your life harder than it had to be, but you still forgave me. Even when I know that I didn't deserve it.

Your love is unconditional, and you show it in hundreds of different ways. You show your love with every meal that you cook and every load of laundry that you do. You even show your love when you're yelling at me at the top of your lungs because I was being a brat, or when you come to tuck me in and turn my light off because I fell asleep after a long day (bet you thought I didn't notice).

I notice mom. I notice and appreciate everything you do for me, big or small.

I can only hope and pray, that one day, I can be as great a mother to my children as you have been, and will continue to be to me. I just want you to know that I am truly thankful that God has blessed me with such an amazing woman to call Mom.

I love you with all my heart.

Forever and always,

Your little girl.