Dear Mom,

I have never fully appreciated all of the things that you did for me until I went to college 600 miles away and had to do them all myself. It is much more difficult to rely on you for everything when I am this far, but somehow I am getting by. It only took me around 20 years to figure all of this out so I would like to take the time now to thank you for everything.

1. For grocery shopping.

Thank you for getting all the unhealthy snacks that I didn't need and didn't know I needed until they were already in the pantry.

2. For all your wonderful home cooked meals.

No matter how great they say the caf food is, it just does not compare. Also, the amount of McDonald's that I have consumed since freshman year is dangerous.

3. For having the amazing ability to locate any lost item faster than anyone I know.

It is safe to say that I have not developed this skill yet. An ETA on when I will have this skill would be great.

4. For taking care of me when I get sick.

It is hard to be sick when I am away at college simply because you are not there to take care of me. When I go to the doctor I don't even know what to say when they ask me what is wrong because you always answer for me.

5. For listening to all my problems and having the best advice for every single one.

You still do this now, but it is harder to read your facial expressions through the phone.

6. For believing in me when I did not.

You supported me when I was 5-years-old and planning on being an author, and still support me today as I plan on being a doctor. (Lets hope that this one is not as unrealistic.)

7. For telling me no, even when I threw a fit because of it.

Like it says in the Bible, "And if not, He is still good." (Daniel 3:18) I believe that this applies to moms too.

8. For always laughing at my jokes, even though they were not ever funny.

You are the reason that I am so hilarious today. My friends thank you for this too.

9. For giving me a wonderful example of the mother and wife I hope to be some day.

I do not know how you do it. But I hope that one day I could be as great as you. You have shown my siblings and I how to handle large amounts of chaos with grace and humor. It is quite impressive.

10. For knowing my faith was important, even when I didn't.

You made sure that I got a Catholic education and went to mass every Sunday (even when I fought not to). You are a living example of the Catholic woman that I hope to be.

11. For showing me that life is not about the number of Instagram likes you get.

You have shown me that life is about spending time with the ones that you love, not spending time obsessing over photos of the time you spent with the ones you love.

12. For teaching me the importance of family.

Seeing you at every sporting event that I had, cheering louder than everyone else really showed me how important family support is. I will be sure to support my family in the same way, maybe even louder.

13. For worrying too much.

Thank you for wondering where I was, when I would be home and if I always had a jacket because "you never know when you will get cold". It is nice to have someone worry about my well being, even if I found it annoying sometimes. I have even found myself worrying about my roommates in the same way, so I'm sure they appreciate you passing this on to me.

14. For my siblings.

They are my best friends and I do not know what I would do without them. I always had someone to play with or talk to when I needed it. But I also learned how to make someone ridiculously angry with just a few words, so it is a win win.

15. For teaching me how important it is to send thank you notes.

I wrote this one to make up for not sending thank you's for any of my birthdays from ages 1-19.