As Father's Day is approaching, I wanted to say thank you to my mother. Thank you for being both parents even though you didn't have to be. I was raised by a single mother, and considering I was (still am) quite the pain in the butt, I'm not sure how she did it.
So to my wonderful, crazy, out of this world mother, thank you. Thank you for making me feel loved unconditionally and raising me with confidence and self-assurance to know I am not loved any less than those who have a father figure in their life. Thank you for making the decision to leave the alcoholic that is my father in order to ensure I had a better life. Thank you for raising me to be strong, independent and a fiery spirit who knows my value does not depend on what a man thinks of me.
Though I will admit I do get slightly jealous when I see people with their fathers and envy the girls who grow up to have a dad who walks them down the aisle on their wedding day, I know if the day does come where some crazy guy decides he can put up with me for the rest of his life, you will be there to walk me down the aisle, and that's more than I could ask for. Mom, you are the strongest woman I know and I am blessed that God gave me you. To quote a three-year-old, "If someone else was my mom, I'd punch her in the face and go find you."
Raising me while working long hours with no help from my father was one of the hardest things you have been through, but we made it. We made it through the rough patches in life and the hard lessons I had to go through. You made it through all the gray hairs I gave you from stress and raised me to be an extraordinary person. I mean, I am on my way to law school - most would call that a success. You and God have been my main support system throughout my life, and I know without you encouraging me to look at my faith during hard times, I would not have made it this far.
You are the sun, moon and stars combined. God created me for you, and you for me. You're not just my mom and dad and money giver, you are my best friend and I'd be lost without you. I could never repay you for all you have provided me with in my lifetime, but I will try by making you proud in everything I do. Thank you for encouraging me and lifting me up when I needed it, and also roasting me at family gatherings and putting me in my place. Though you make fun of me, I just take it as you giving me a sense of humor so I can always laugh at myself in the future.
Thank you for being the wonderful woman you are and raising me to be the crazy woman I am.
