Dear Mom,

Thank you for everything you do for me and Danny. I couldn't have asked for a better Mom, Dad, Tooth Fairy, Easter bunny, and Santa Claus. Even though I know that no amount of words I say can truly express how much I appreciate everything you've done for me and for my brother, it's worth a shot.

Thank you mom for teaching me the importance of being kind and generous. I know it embarrassed me to no avail, but the way in which you help everyone and anyone is something that's helped me to understand how important every action is and how it can impact others. I don't know of any other person who would pull over for a woman struggling, carrying her groceries home, and proceed to drive her home. I don't know of any other person who would take me out for my birthday and then buy my friends presents just because. No other person is so willing to financially help others, despite not having much for herself.

Thank you for pushing me to push myself. None of my achievements would have happened if it weren't for you being my biggest supporter. You're the reason I am who I am today, you're everything I strive to become because, to me, there is no one more that I'd want to be.

Thank you for helping me shop for prom, even though I know you don't like to shop, especially not for $500 dresses. A special thanks for threatening my prom date the way a dad would, but better, "Touch my daughter, and I'll do the same to you," it still makes me laugh like crazy.

Thank you for everything that you've had to sacrifice in order to make our lives better. I missed you on the nights you worked your second and third jobs, and I would wait up to make sure you'd come home safe. You work so hard to keep us all comfortable and I could never thank you enough for that.

Finally, thank you for absolutely everything you've done for me in the past 19 years of my life. You're my biggest supporter, loudest cheerleader, and strongest guidance. You've helped me when I was in a dark place, and showed me that I would make it through and things in life would change. I hope to make you happy someday mom, to prove how much I love and respect you. Thank you for the presents from you and from Santa, you've never failed to make us happy.

xoxo, Merry Christmas mom (and Santa)!