If you know my mom, you know she’s pretty much the greatest person you’ve ever met. She’s hilarious, caring, smart, amazing, strong, and a million other things. She will always share her opinion with you. She will always be honest with you.

My mom has been my hero literally my whole life.

I’m about to celebrate my biggest achievement and accomplishment, but the only thing I can think of is how I mentally, physically, and emotionally could not have done this without her. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

She always instilled in me the importance of college and the importance of education just in general. She always pushed me to do better because she always knew I could. From elementary school to middle school to high school, she checked my homework, helped me study for a test, and kept in contact with my teachers. She did everything it took to make sure I succeeded.

College was no different. She said okay when I wanted to go to South Carolina right out of high school, which was a very short-lived dream. She said okay when I wanted her to drive five hours to West Virginia for a transfer college visit.

She said okay every single time I told her I was changing my major, which was probably about four times. She said okay when I told her I wanted to go to Rowan three years ago. She even said okay when I found out I had to go for just one more year.

Because she knew I could do it. She knew how important this was. She believed in me.

But besides pushing me to always be my absolute best educationally, she has shown me and taught me so much more in life. She’s done so much more for me.

She lends me money every time I’m short on gas. Every time I want to go out to eat with my friends, and every time I’m just a little short on cash before payday. She’s driven me and my friends to the bar. She has picked us up from the train station.

She has tried to keep her comments to herself every time I’ve been hungover. She’s shown me how to be an amazing sister and friend, and how to one day be an amazing mom. She’s shown me how to be strong, how to not care what anyone thinks, and how to take no bullshit from anyone.

She’s laughed at all my stupid jokes. She’s agreed with all my crazy ideas.

My mom is my world. She’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met. She’s dedicated her whole life to me and my sister. She’s given us literally everything we’ve wanted and a whole lot more.

There isn’t a single part of me that doesn’t know that she’s the reason I am where I am today. Honestly, everyone in my life knows she’s the reason I am where I am.

It only seems right to dedicate my most important achievement so far in life to her because, without her, I wouldn’t be graduating college. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am. Without her, I couldn’t do anything I do.

So, to the absolute most amazing mom in the world. To my very best friend. To one of the few people who has tolerated my picky eating habits the last 23 years. To the person I love more than anything in the world.

Thank you.

I’d be completely lost without you.