Dear Mom,

I don’t think enough words in the entire world can come close to how much you really mean to me and how grateful I am to be your daughter. I know that I don’t say it as often as I should, but I would not be the person I am today without your constant guidance and shoulder to lean on during those difficult days. So let me try and put some words together to hopefully give you a sneak peek on why I am thankful to have you in my life.

Thank you for being brutally honest with me, even when I didn’t want to hear it.

There would be so many times where I came home with a new outfit and you would look me straight in the face and ask me what I was even thinking. Don’t get me wrong, I completely hated it when you did it at the time, but now I could not be more thankful for it. I know that I can always come to you and you will not sugarcoat anything because you truly want the best for me. I remember sitting watching American Idol with you and you would constantly tell me how you feel so bad for the contestants that didn’t have anyone telling them that their talent was not the greatest (yes, she has told me I’d never even pass the auditions of American Idol). You’ve been that way with me about friends, boys, and even school, but that is just one of the many things that I needed to hear when I was seeking advice.

Thank you for being understanding, even when situations shouldn’t have made you be.

Just like every other teenager on the planet, I made many mistakes in my life. You never once made me feel bad about myself and very rarely would you let me walk away from the situation without figuring out some kind of solution. We have a very unique relationship because you gave me the choice of talking to you as a mom, or a friend. All I simply needed to do was sit you down and talk to you like a friend, with a peek of mom poking in, but you would listen and give me advice before actually scolding me about how things could have been avoided.

Thank you for punishing me.

Flashback to middle school me where I would never have my cellphones on the weekends and I could never picture myself thanking you for taking it away. I know that I’m the oldest and I may have got the harsher punishments, but I am so thankful for it. Leaving at 10 p.m. when others would be out until 11 or 11:30, having my cellphone taken away when I was giving an attitude, or even scolding me when I wasn’t performing to the best of my ability in school. Without all of those boundaries, I would never have matured as quickly as I did or established morals and values that I still hold close to my heart until this day.

Thank you for being my personal Uber.

Not a lot of high school students can say that their mom was there everyday waiting for them to get out, so that they did not have to ride the bus. The only times that I would ride the bus would be because I wanted to hang out with my friends, not because I didn’t have someone wiling to get me. You let me stay out until 10 p.m., even when dad wanted to go to bed because you wanted me to enjoy the time with my friends. You would be a personal chauffeur to some of my friends too when they needed a ride home or if we were going to the next hangout.

Thank you for being a text away.

Some of my friends still make fun of me because I text you so often when I’m out, whether to tell you where I am or to simply tell you something that happened. I don’t find it bothersome or annoying because I genuinely want to text you and let you know what is going on. We have built a special relationship and I could not picture a day where I don’t tell you when I’m leaving the house or where I’m actually going.

Thank you for taking care of me when I’m sick.

Anyone that knows me, understands how much of a child I am when it comes to me getting sick. I could come into your room at 2 in the morning and you will still find a solution on how to fix my uneasy stomach or stuffy nose. I’m not afraid to admit that I can’t fully take care of myself when I’m sick and you have never made it seem like a chore either. For as long as I lived, you seem to know what the doctor will say before it even comes out of his mouth and you had already started giving us medicine to prevent it from getting worse. You can make my anxiety decrease tremendously by just telling me it is going to be okay, and not many people have the ability to do that for me.

Thank you for being my BEST FRIEND.

There have been so many friends in my life that have come and gone, but I know our relationship will last a lifetime. I know that when I look back on memories of growing up, you will definitely be a huge part of them. Without you, I would not be the person I am today and I truly don’t think the words ‘thank you’ come remotely close to it.

Love always,

Your Favorite Daughter