In 2003, a young Chinese woman boarded a plane with two suitcases to achieve her American Dream. She had mere weeks to find her own apartment, transportation and income without knowing the language. She had left behind family, her soon-to-be ex-fiance, and her home to pursue her goals. She started working at a small Chinese restaurant and used interactions with both her customers and coworkers to learn bits and pieces of the language; "spoon" was her first word. Every day, she went home after working two waitressing jobs to watch the Bravo channel with English subtitles — memorizing and studying it so she could be successful. Fast-forward to 2010, and Yi Hui has met an American soldier through an online dating website. In June, they are married and she has acquired four new stepchildren.

The day I met step-mother, I was extremely confused. For one, I did not even know my father remarried. Honestly, I didn't mind. I wasn't angry at all. I was just...confused. Extremely confused because a tiny, Chinese woman just jumped out of the SUV my dad was picking us up in, and this was the first time I had seen him in years. Secondly, I could not understand a single word she was saying because her accent was so thick and her English so broken. I thought, "Wow. This is going to be one awkward summer. Maybe we'll just be distant and she'll ignore me."

But I was completely wrong. She was surprisingly excited to meet me, to form a bond, to dress me up in cute clothing, and have someone to gossip with. At least, that was my impression and that is what I hope she had first thought of me. To be honest, that summer was rough. I was not prepared for the dynamic shift in my family, to reside in a state I had never stepped foot in, or to rebuild a relationship with my changed father. But...

Marrying my step-mother was the best decision my father has ever made, and I am more thankful for her than I have been for anything in my life.

My step-mother has gone from "Anna" to step-mom to mother, Tiger Mom, and 妈妈. She has been my inspiration, my role model, my guidance and my teacher.

So here is my open letter to you:

Dear 妈妈, You never had to fill the void of a mother that I was left with, but you did.

And you've done so much more than that. You have taught me how to take care of myself: to be strong, determined and to fight for what I want.

You have given me unconditional love when I least deserved it. You give me motivational speeches when I feel weak and uncertain; encouragement when I worry; even provide me with home-cooked meals, clothing and stuffed animals so I feel less lonely at school.

Your advice has helped me conquer challenges and accomplish schoolwork while still maintaining the realistic aspects of life. You have told me about the dangers and benefits of a relationship; how to be safe if I want to go to a party or have sex — the simple, but important talks that I never would have been told without you. What to do if I encounter heartbreak, feel stressed out or if I'm depressed. How to be happy and successful.

From the memes, dog pictures and four lectures an hour to the roof over my head and open arms that welcome me home, I just want to say... Thank you for all of the sacrifices you not only made for coming to America but also in building a family. Thank you for watching over my father and me; for protecting him and healing the extremely broken, sad man he once was without you. Thank you for dealing with unaccepting family members who couldn't fathom the idea that he was remarried to someone from a foreign country.

I am incredibly proud to call you mom. As I often tell my friends, giving birth to someone does not make you a mother — just about anyone could do that. It's the time, the consideration, the love and the effort that is what truly counts. A biological parent can be as much of a stranger as someone you bypass on the street. You are my mother and no matter what happens, you always will be. You always tell me, "If I can come to America without knowing the language and with two bags, you can accomplish anything in this world as long as you try." You are living proof of that, and I would never, ever wish you weren't my parent or that I had someone else as my mom.

谢谢你，我爱你!