Dear Mom,

I know I don't tell you enough, but I am so thankful for you. No matter how crazy you make me sometimes, I don't know what I would do without you.

I don't think I ever realized how much you did for me until I left for college. It didn't matter how big or small the problem was, you were always there and willing to help. But since you couldn't come to college with me, I had to learn to do everything you did for me.

I am 18-years-old and just learned that you could wash clothes and towels together because you always took care of it for me.

But luckily for me, I don't have to live without you for the next four years like everyone else. Transferring home was one of the best decisions I made because I get to be with you everyday. Now I don't have to call you a million times a day and bug you. I may only have been away from you for a semester, but it was a semester too long.

In the beginning I couldn't wait to leave. To move away and be on my own was something I looked forward to for quite some time. Until I had to actually do it. The day you dropped me off at college changed everything. I was really on my own and you weren't there with me. I didn't really understand what being away at college meant until a week later. It all hit me when I realized it had been a week since I'd seen you.

You have always been my biggest fan. You give me tough love when I really need it. You give me advice on which friends are good and which are bad, and so far you've been right each time. You wake me up every morning a million times so I don't sleep through my first class. But most importantly, you are always there for me.

Thank you for everything, Mom. Thank you for teaching me how to do laundry over the phone. Thank you for letting me talk to the dogs over facetime. Thank you for cooking (or at least trying to cook) all my favorite meals when I come home. Thank you for being my mom. I am so lucky to have you.

Love,

Your Favorite Child