Momma, thank you. ❤️ I wouldn't be half the woman I am today without you... in literate terms too haha. If God had asked me what I needed in a mom before I was born, I'd like to say that you would fit the definition. But how would I have known that back then? 🤔 Thankfully, he already knew the answer way before I did. His plan was perfect.🙏🏼Now that I've experienced 22 years of life, I'd say I'm a little wiser now. I've been able to reflect, and answer this question more accurately lately.

Here's what I would tell God:

1. I need a mom who will give me an older brother (S/O to dad as well). This will teach me about competitiveness, patience, & forgiveness. 🤣 And she did...

2. I need a mom who will let me fail. To not come to my rescue anytime I face adversity. This will teach me about resilience, and determination. And she did...

3. I need a mom who will not be afraid to break out the "wooden spoon" when she needs to. This will teach me about respecting my elders and not coping an attitude. 😁 And she did...

4. I need a mom who can chat up a stranger. To be social & have diversity in her social life. You can learn a lot from connecting with people of different ages & backgrounds. This will teach me open-mindedness, empathy, and understanding. And she did...

5. I need a mom who doesn't have a dishwasher in the house. To wash those dishes by hand, baby! 💪🏻 This will teach me to do things the hard way. To not take the easy way out. To teach me discipline. To go the "extra mile". And she did...

6. I need a mom who limits the amount of T.V I watch. This will teach me to play outside, to be creative, dive deeper into my education (I won't voluntarily do math though), and my personal interest. To read some really informative books. To find new hobbies. To teach me to be well rounded. And she did...

7. I need a mom who teaches me how to cook her favorite meals in the kitchen. The ability to cook a big pot of chili on a rainy NFL Sunday is important. Some dude will appreciate that one day. And hey, somebody has to host the family Thanksgivings. 🤷♀️ And she did...

8. I need a mom who will still order a happy meal at McDonalds. You are never "too old", or "too cool" for a happy meal! To teach me that time is irrelevant, age is just a number, and you're only as old, or young as you think you are. And she did...

9. I need a mom who has experienced a lot in life herself. To teach me lessons that I can learn from. To show me why something did, or did not work in the past. To teach me to be a good listener, to be adaptable, to be prepared to change. To be innovative. And she did...

10. I need a mom who is independent & stubborn (in a good way). 😉 Who refuses to rely entirely on anyone or anything except God & herself. Relying on people is good, but not too much, ya know? Being clingy is a no-no. To refuse to settle for second best in anything in this life. To teach me that I shouldn't settle until I reach my goals, and then I should be setting a higher goal. To pursue dreams, and to never stop improving. And she did..

And most of all? To show me that keeping a smile on my face and holding onto my faith will get me through anything this life. So keep on smiling, and praying. 😁

Dang, if you're reading this far... you rock, my friend. 😂

So I'd say God fit the shoe with this one. 🙌🏼 I love you, mom. ❤️ Thank you for meeting my needs. For helping to make me a better person in all these ways, whether you knew it, or not. I wouldn't be me, without you.