Dear Mom,

You've done so much for me in the twenty-one years since you first found out you were pregnant with me. You were about the age that I am now when you found out you were going to have your first child, and I can't even begin to imagine how afraid you were. If I was in your position, I really don't know what I would have done, but I'm really glad you decided to keep me.

I know your job as my mother is not always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise (I threw in that Adam Levine reference just for you momma). But seriously, you've given up a lot for me and I can't thank you enough for the opportunities you've given me. When I was in elementary and wanted to be in dance, you paid for the lessons even though you could have bought extra groceries with that money. You drove me to and from practice and never once complained about it. You came to all of my performances even if it meant you had to leave work early, and took videos and pictures so I could remember long after I quit. Every time I signed up for a solo or a talent show, there you were in the front row with your camera, beaming at me with so much pride it made my heart burst with joy. Every home basketball or volleyball game, there you were. Even when I didn't get to play, you made me feel like I was the best just for trying. Whenever I would come home from school upset, you were always there to ask me what was wrong and make it better. Every lost friend or broken heart, you were there. You were and are always there for me when I need you.

My senior year of high school you were a mess. Not just the first day, but every day. I was your oldest, so this whole growing up thing was new to you. On my first day of senior year, you cried and gave me a thousand hugs. I may have rolled my eyes and made fun of you for being so emotional, but inside I was pretty emotional too. I was at the point in my life where I was going to be on my own soon and that scared me because I've always had you there. I knew you would still be always there, but I didn't know what my future held. I continued to tease you throughout the year when I would have my last games and you would be in the stands crying because it was my last game. On my last day of high school, I wasn't sure if you were going to make it graduation or not, there was so many tears. But on graduation day, there you were, crying again. It was like a never-ending faucet of tears and love.

When I got accepted into Concordia, my dream school, I was so excited.You were the first person I told and you were just as excited as me. My success was your success. The summer came and went, and move in day was finally here. I'm pretty sure you cried that whole day, even after you had gone home. Throughout my first couple years of college you've been there for me through everything. When I told you for the first time about the time I was taken advantage of when I was a young child, you took me home and held me hand, telling me everything would be okay. When my depression and anxiety worsened, you didn't judge me for it. While you may not understand how it works some days, you always have supported my decision to take the medication I need.

You've been my counselor, my friend, my cheerleader, and my biggest supporter. You've been there through every hill and every valley and I can't begin to explain how thankful I am for you. I love getting to come home during breaks from school and watch our favorite TV shows together. I love getting random recommendations of shows/movies to watch on Netflix. I love watching Family Feud with you and bragging about how we could do so much better than the people on TV.

But most of all I love your strength. I love how when you've had a bad day, you still ask me how mine was. When grandpa died, and you were struggling, you still managed to take care of us, even though you had just lost your dad. You have always been there to hug me when I'm having a bad day, even if you're having a bad day too. I've learned how to be strong from watching you. You taught me how to treat other with respect, even if they don't deserve it. You taught me that I can't always get everything that I want handed to me, that I have to work hard for it. You've shown me how to be brave when I'm scared. You've taught me how to be yourself, and that anyone who can't love me the way I am, doesn't deserve me.

When you were twenty-one, you found out about me. You had plans for your life, but you gave me a chance. You had me even though you were scared. You centered your life around me and did everything based on my needs and wants. You gave up so much for me, so that way I could live and chase my dreams. I hope that one day when I have my own children, that I can use what you've taught me to be as great of a mother as you have been to me. I love you so much and although I may be a whiny brat some days, I really do appreciate everything you've done for your kids. Without you, we wouldn't be the people we are today. You've done a great job mom. Although it may not seem like it some days, you've raised some pretty darn good kids. So thank you for everything.

Love you to the moon and back,

Your favorite child