Dear Mom,

On the day I was born my journey was not the only one beginning. Together we began the journey of mother and child. From the moment I was placed in your arms, our worlds were forever changed. In your arms was the newest member of the human population. In your arms was a tiny human being, whose life was now entirely in your hands. I didn’t stay that little for long, soon I was walking, learning and talking non-stop. You patched up the scrapes on my knees from stumbling down the paths, you kissed my boo-boos and sent me back on my way. You would sing to lull me to sleep whenever I had a stomached ache. Each year you decorated a birthday cake, designed by my silly requests. Each night you would tuck me in, kissing my forehead. As you packed my lunch and sent me off onto the school bus for the first time, how could you imagine a day when I would be in college. Standing on the steps of that bus waving goodbye back, it seemed like college was lightyears away. You held my hand until I was ready to let go.

You helped me pack the car with all my clothes, bedding, and books. This time instead of the bus taking me to school, it was you. You and dad helped me unpack and then you left. I sat in my dorm room as you drove home. For the first time in eighteen years, I couldn’t hug you goodnight, I couldn’t shout across the house to ask you a question, I couldn’t walk into your room to ask for your opinion of the outfit I was wearing, I was on my own.

Each year as I grew, a piece of you was imbedded in me. You gave me a piece of your humor, your knowledge and wisdom, a piece of your fierceness, a piece of your imagination, your curiosity, and a piece of your determination. You gave me all the love you had and then some. Each and every action you made, shaped me into the person I am today. I am the only person in the world like this, created and crafted by the one person in the world who knows me better than anyone else. Once a year we celebrate your journey as a mother. One day out of 365 days is not enough to celebrate every incredible thing you do. Every path we traveled, every bridge we crossed, led us to today. There is no amount of words I can say to thank you enough for helping me become the person I am today.

I love you from the bottom of my heart.