Moms are truly amazing people.
They are your first friend, your shoulder to cry on, and your biggest support system. I don't always get along with my mom--we're two very similar, strong-willed women and that sometimes causes tension. The older I get, though, the more I realize that I should take what my mom says to heart.
She's an incredibly strong woman who's been through more than I can imagine--from losing both her parents by 30, to her divorce from my dad, to raising my brother and me on her own for more than a decade with little to no help.
My mom is a real life Wonder Woman, and as much as we can argue at times, I hope I'm at least half the woman she's turned out to be.
Given that it's her birthday, I felt that now was a good time to put my thoughts into words and tell her these 21 things I hope she knows.
1. You are an incredible role model.
2. You're someone I can turn to, even if you don't always understand.
3. We might not always see eye to eye--that doesn't mean I don't respect you.
4. I'll always respect you and the hard work you put in to keeping us afloat.
5. I value your opinion above everyone else's.
6. I'm constantly striving to make you proud.
7. I hope that, if I have kids, I'm half the mother you are.
8. I know I'm always going to be your little girl--even though I'm not so little anymore.
9. One day soon I'll be "leaving the nest" but that doesn't mean I won't be FaceTiming you every day.
10. You did the job of two parents for ten years, and I don't know how you did it, but you did it well.
11. As a kid, I wanted to be just like you. As a teenager, I wanted to be the exact opposite. Now, as an adult, I want to be just like you again.
12. I'm grateful for everything you do for me.
13. But, because I'm *your* daughter, you know I'm too proud to ask for help sometimes.
14. I appreciate it when you see I'm struggling and offer to help, even if I don't (or can't) ask myself.
15. I appreciate you listening to me ramble on for ten minutes about the 57 things on my to do list, even if you don't always know what I'm talking about.
16. I appreciate you giving me space when I need it.
17. I appreciate the fact that you never compare me to my brother.
18. I appreciate you coming to school events with me and offering to let me practice presentations in front of you.
19. I'm proud to be your daughter.
20. I hope you're proud to be my mom.
21. No matter what we go through, or how far apart we may live, you'll always be my mom and I'll always love you.
