Dear Mom,
With my high school graduation quickly approaching in two weeks, it becomes more of a reality that I’m leaving in three months. You won’t wake me up at least five times every morning, and I won’t be able to give you a spontaneous hug whenever I feel like it. I don’t think anyone is completely ready when the time comes to leave the nest, but I feel confident that the love and nurturing you’ve given me my entire life prepared me for this moment. I can’t fit everything you’ve done for me into one letter, but I’ll do my best to let you know grateful I am for your selflessness.
Your caring heart, intelligent mind, and beautiful spirit inspire me every day to become a better woman. Throughout my 18 years of life, you taught me important lessons, like persevering to achieve my goals. Thank you for embodying what it means to be driven, because without that, I would not know how to focus on accomplishing my dreams. When I told you I wanted to become a fashion journalist, you immediately began researching fashion courses, college seminars, and even booked us a ticket to New York City the summer before my junior year of high school. As I look back at all of that now, I can’t believe how lucky I am to call you my mom!
Thank you for also showing me the importance of kindness. I remember one time in particular when we were thrift shopping, a favorite bonding moment of ours, and a couple in front of us in line did not have enough money to buy a telephone for their home. They tried to scavenge for coins out of a glass jar, and without hesitation, you stepped forward and payed for it. You didn’t expect praise or a round of applause, but did it simply because it was the right thing to do. That memory always stuck in my mind. Not only do are you the most genuine person I know, but also the most considerate, and I thank you for leading by example in those kinds of moments.
Considering that we survived the majority of my teenage years together, it is mandatory that I acknowledge how difficult that must have been. I know that I’m not an angel all the time. That being said, I’m sorry for when my antics were too much to handle. I own every one of my fashion meltdowns and every time I came home past curfew. I want you to know that in those times of chaos, I still noticed your love and support. I saw that raising a teenage girl was new territory for you, but your strength and adaptability taught me how to mature as a person.
As I venture into this new world of adulthood, I plan to be a fighter, just like you. I hope to carry myself with your grace and receptivity. I owe my confidence in my capabilities to you, and hope that you can read this letter next year when it feels like I’m a million miles away. I love you more than I could possibly put into words, and that will never change. You’re my hero, Mom; always have been, always will be.
