Hi Mom,

Thank you, Mom, for all the laughs we've shared .Remember that time we found old home movies and watched them Christmas morning? Your catchphrases always especially crack me up.

Thank you, Mom, for instilling good habits on us. I'll never be as organized as you, but you better believe I hear your voice in my head while I'm folding or not using my G-Cal.

Thank you, Mom, for always answering my calls... even if it's the second of the day...or the third...

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me the importance of family. From our family, to spending time with our extended family, to telling me to look for family men in relationships. You've set a good base for your grandchildren!

Thank you, Mom, for encouraging me while also keeping me realistic. You told me to study hard, but not to spread myself too thin. I listened, and I might even follow your advice to lessen my credit hours (but I'm not as wise as you so we'll see).

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me how to fight. This sounds jarring at first, but we've had conflicts that, while they weren't fun, taught me how to navigate conflict in a calm, respectful manner.

Thank you, Mom, for forgiving me when the aforementioned conflicts weren't so easy.

Thank you, Mom, for every hug. Whether one of us needed it or just because, each is special.

Thank you, Mom, for taking so many pictures. We used to complain at all the posing, but it's so great to look back and see good memories.

Thank you, Mom, for being an advocate for me as a child and teaching me how to advocate for myself.

Thank you, Mom, for being you. I have learned so much from your resilience, work ethic and your wonderful laugh. I love hearing stories about you from before we were around and I love seeing all you still accomplish.

Thank you, Mom, for loving me and teaching me how to love through your profound selflessness.

Thank you, Mom, for reading to me everyday. You lit a love for literature that lead me here to write this article.

Thank you, Mom, for every great memory, lesson and sacrifice.

Love you,

Your loving, imperfect grateful chip off the old block.