An Open Letter to My Mom,

I just want to start off by saying thank you.

Thank you for always staying by my side and sticking up for me whenever I needed you. Thank you for going through all the hard times with me and helping me through my darkest days. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me, and I hope you know that it means the absolute world to me.

You brought me into this world and watched me grow into the women I became and the woman I'll become. You helped me grow as an individual and into a woman that I hope is even close to the woman you are. You helped me start walking and when life brought me down in my teenage years, you helped me back up. You watched me go through hell and back and are still proud of me.

You helped me through every sickness, through every hospital visit, to Four Winds and counseling, to so much more. You were the one that was always there. You never left my side and I never realized that until now.

We used to not get along at all. I used to get tense every time you walked in the door and never wanted to spend time with you. I never wanted to do anything with you and I regret that I treated you like that at all.

Now that I moved out, not officially, though, I’ll always know where my home is. But, since I moved out, we’ve gotten along so much better. You have become the person that I will go to for most of my problems. We became so much closer and I’m so glad we have. You’re one of my best friends and I can’t thank you enough for all of these things you’ve done.

You mean the world to me and even though I act like I hate that we act like sisters, I really don’t. I love that we act like sisters because we can get close this way. You are the person I’ve always looked up too. You had me when you were 18 and still in high school. Even after high school, you still managed to go to college and get your degree while having me as your baby. You’ve always done the best for me and don’t think that doesn’t go unnoticed.

So, this letter is for you, so you know that everything you do doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated. I'm so thankful to have you as my mother and I couldn't ask for a different mother because I already have the best. You always do your best for me and have always wanted the best for me.

So thank you for helping me through all the tears and heartbreaks, for helping me through the roughest time in my life, and for showing me how to cope with my mental diseases. I couldn't have gone through this life without your help.

So, thank you, and I love you to infinity and beyond.