Mom, I don't really know where to begin to be honest. For as long as I can remember, you and I have always been close. I'll always treasure the days you'd pick me up from kindergarten and we'd go home and watch your soap operas or The Price Is Right. It didn't matter what we did, I just wanted to be around you. People say that changes as you grow up, but I don't think that's ever been the case with us. If anything, my teenage years have only brought us closer and I'm confident that as I go into adulthood, this will remain the same.

Some people don't understand how or why we're so close. They don't get why I tell you everything. I've had friends who have had to hide such big parts of their lives from their parents, and it makes me realize how lucky I am to have such a strong relationship with you and dad. Whenever anything funny, exciting, sad or even completely insignificant happens in my day, I know you're the first person I can go to.

When I tell people you're my best friend, I think a lot of people get the impression that that means I can get away with anything, or that you're trying to be a "cool" mom. In reality, that's not what I mean at all. When I say you're my best friend, it's because I can tell you anything and everything, and I know you'll listen. It's because no matter how many friends have come and gone in my life, you've always been here. You've listened to my boy drama (even when you've had enough,) laughed with me, cried with me and been angry with me. We've been through it all together, and there's nobody else I'd rather have by my side.

I see so much of you in myself and it makes me happy (this includes your shopping habits.) Whenever people tell me I do something like you, I remind them of you or I look like you, I can't help but smile. There's nobody else in the world I look up to as much as you, so if I grow up to be even half of the woman you are, that'll be good enough for me.

You're the most selfless, kindhearted and loving person I know. Every single thing you do, you do it for your family and I can never thank you enough. I can't thank you for the sleepless nights you've spent taking care of me when I was sick or holding me while I cried after having my heartbroken. For all of the times you've come home after a long day of work but still make sure there's dinner on the table. For always keeping good spirits even when us kids are teasing you. For supporting me through years of school and dance lessons. You sacrifice so much to make myself and the rest of the family happy, and I just want you to know it's not going unappreciated.

So mom, I guess the point of this whole letter is to tell you thanks. Thanks for always being here for me. Thanks for the sacrifices you make everyday. No matter how old I get, I'll always be your little girl and you'll always be one of my very best friends.