To the woman I want to be:
You are beautiful, independent, hilarious, caring and understanding. Our friendship never wavers, and I often find myself in awe of how you have become the woman you are today. Whether we are playing food wars (similar to Fear Factor, but with food) or having a 3 a.m. heart to heart, I know I can call on you. Your love for others is unmatched, and your passion for life is impeccable. Though you surely doubt yourself sometimes, you always use the perfect balance of following your heart and thinking with your head.
Watching you with babies is amazing. You are just silly enough to capture their ever-fleeting attentions. You are kind to the elderly and always offer the biggest hug and smile to anyone you meet. Walmart, or any public place, is always an adventure. It is literally impossible to run to Walmart and be right back. You know too many people and love them all way too much. But your love is infectious, and you change lives every day without even realizing it. You taught me the basics of hair and makeup and laughed each time I attempted to bring back blue eyeshadow. You taught me how to give others second chances, but no more than that. I learned how to cook, but it will never be as good as your cooking. You also taught me that no matter how hard I try, I cannot fix people if they do not want to be fixed first. I learned that smiling takes fewer muscles than frowning, but also that it is alright to cry sometimes. I am strong because of you and forever blessed to be your daughter.
Mom, I cannot even count how many times I have heard "Your mom is so cool!" or "I wish she was my mom." Yes, this is to the most perfect, imperfect mother. You have stood by me through everything, whether it be baby steps at a little over a year old or dealing with high school drama for what seemed like an eternity. You have watched me cry my eyes out over stupid boys and life itself and moved me into and out of two different schools. Soon we will be moving into my first apartment, which will be another new adventure. Your love is unwavering and truly untouchable. You are kind and love everyone regardless of their situation. To call you my mother is remarkable in itself. I am so thankful for you and can only hope I am half the woman, wife and mother to my future husband and children that you have been to me. It is said that some of God's greatest blessings come in disguise, but He did not seem to hide you very well. For that, I am thankful.
Sincerely,
Your Mini-Me
