To my hero,

Wow. Where to start. I swear just yesterday I was getting on the bus for my first day of kindergarten but now all of the sudden I blinked and I am in college. Time truly does fly, especially time spent with you. I never realized how much I truly missed you until I got really sick and wanted nothing other than to come home and be with you.

In my early teen years we didn’t see eye to eye on nearly anything, and it was constant arguments, fight after fight. I can’t believe I am saying this, but I should have listened to you because all the advice you were giving me was lessons you had learned. Then, as I continued going through my early teen years I seemed to become distant with you because I was a teenager and that’s just what we do, but I am happy things have changed. During my senior year, you and I formed a bond no one could break and I would not trade it for the world. And as I packed up to move away, and you constantly reminded me that I was a slob and you felt bad for my future roommate, I realized how much I would miss you.

Looking back, I realize I took for granted the movie nights when we would snuggle up on the couch (even though you always fell asleep), the car rides to Grandma and Grandpas, hanging Christmas ornaments, going to mass every Sunday and millions of other things we did. Now, being in college and living away from home I realize that I can’t come home to you every night and vent to you about the mean girls in school or the drama happening in sports. (BUT, I have come to find you are only one phone call away and I know I have never gone more than one day without calling you, sorry but you have to deal with it.) If you would have told me five or 10 years ago that we would be so close, I would have laughed in your face. I can honestly say you are my best friend and I nothing will ever change that.

Okay, so I guess what I am trying to get at is….. Sometimes I think we get so involved in everything happening in our lives and the craziness that we forget to thank the ones who are always by our side. Not only do we forget to say thank you, but we also forget to remind them how much love we have for them. I am sitting down to finally say thank you and I love you so much.

Thank you for passing down some of your qualities to me. Thank you for everything you sacrifice to make me happy. Thank you for taking care of me when I am sick. Thank you for always making sure there is a food I like at every meal. (Since I’m a really picky eater) Thank you for understanding me and helping me. Thank you for listening. Thank you for giving me an amazing experience with my immediate and extended family. Thank you for teaching me the difference between right and wrong. Thank you for calming me down in the most hectic times. Thank you for introducing me to my faith. Thank you for being my strength when I have none left. Thank you for all the “huggies”. Thank you for be an amazing role model. Thank you for bringing me into this world and showing me what life is all about. Thank you for saving my life numerous times… But, most importantly thank you for being you.

I can say “thank you” all I want but those two words will never do justice for how much I appreciate you. No words could show how much appreciation I have for you and neither could any object. You have been here through everything and I would like it to stay that way. I hope I can be as great as a woman as you someday, but until that day I will continue learning from you. I love you.

Love,

Your daughter