Dear Mom,

I will never be able to accurately put into words how much you mean to me. From who you are as a person, to who you raised me to be, I admire everything about you. Everything you do is incredible, and sometimes I think I forget to thank you for everything you do for me. Thank you for all the times you had to double as a best friend, counselor, therapist, hair stylist, tutor, coach and everything in between. I am truly blessed to have a mother that is more like a super hero in disguise. Thank you for listening to all my pointless drama and pretending to care because you knew I just needed to vent.

Thank you for letting me find out for myself that a boy was no good for me, and not saying “I told you so” when things didn’t work out and for being my crying shoulder after every single painful break up. Thank you for holding me so tight during the times I thought I was going to fall apart, which inevitably held me all together. I will never forget all the times you were the glue that helped me stay together when I thought my world was crashing down. Thank you for always telling me exactly how you feel, even when you know it’s not exactly what I want to hear.

Thank you for forgiving me when I forget to call and text you to let you know I’m safe. Thank you for waiting up until the latest hours of the night and the earliest hours of the morning just to make sure I made it home safe. Thank you for forgiving me for all the stupid things I’ve done. I never have to be afraid to tell you about my mistakes, because I know you will never judge me and always love me no matter what.

Thank you for being my role model and showing me exactly what kind of mother I want to be some day. There is no one else I would want to become. Thank you for all the clothes and all the items you bought me that I didn’t really need, but insisted I did. As I’ve grown up, I’ve truly learned the value of a dollar, and it makes me realize how much you actually sacrificed for me throughout my lifetime. I am incredibly thankful for that. Thank you for always being my cheerleader, and sometimes my only cheerleader. Thank you for always being proud of everything I do. Thank you for pretending to like track meets and attending every single one even if it’s the last place you want to spend your entire day. Thank you for driving across the state just to see me race for a few minutes, and always being proud of me regardless of my finishing time. Even the one race I didn't even cross the finish line, we were still so proud of me.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Even when I am in a bad mood. Thank you for always reminding me that I am “braver than I believe, stronger than I seem, and smarter than I think.” Thank you for all the traits you passed down to me, not only your beauty, but your humor, intelligence, strength, empathy, love and faith. Thank you for always putting my needs before your own. So many people go through life with a mother who is just trying to be a friend, not a mother. And so many people go through life with a mother that is strictly a mother. I am thankful to have been blessed with both. As I get older, we get closer and become better friends, and I am eternally thankful for that.

Love,

Your daughter