Through my experience with writing, thank you letters seem to be something I'm particularly good at, so here's another thank you. To the woman I've always been able to look at and say, "Wow. I hope to be half the person you are."

Dear Mom,

There's a lot I could say but first I want to thank you for many things. Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to struggle because struggling teaches you that struggles don't last forever. Thank you for showing me that you don't need a man to do things for you, and that you're capable of doing anything you want. Thank you for showing me that you don't need two parents to love you because sometimes the love of one parent is more than the love of 10,000. Thank you for giving me everything I could have ever hoped for in my life within the given circumstances. Thank you for teaching me that I can do anything if I really want it. Thank you for giving me your everything for the length of my life and for never giving up. Thank you for teaching me the values that I've grown up with, like making sure I know how valuable I am and for teaching me how to love myself. Thank you for always making sure that I was cared for and that I was happy. Thank you for taking care of me when I've been sick and every other day of the year. Thank you for teaching me how to love, how to care for others, how to work hard, and how to drive (no matter how interesting that was) :). Thank you for being the greatest role model I've ever had and for always being strong, loving, kind, and determined.

This might sound pretty cheesy for you and I, but I really want you to know that I'm so grateful for everything you've done. You've been one of the greatest blessings I've received in my life and I will never be able to thank you enough for all you've given me. I've gone through so much in my life for a seventeen year old and I don't think I could've gotten through even a portion of it without you. You have got to be the strongest person that I know and you for sure don't let anyone push you around or make you feel inferior. I've said and written before that in my life, one of my goals is to give you back what you've given me in life and I plan to do it one day, but for now I can only love you with all of my heart and make you proud of the person that you raised all by yourself. You make life so easy and I'm so proud to be your daughter.

Thank you for loving me the way that I needed to be loved so that I could be a whole, loving person. Thank you for being you, mom.

I love you.

Your ladybug