I often wonder where I’d be without this lady. I am thankful to you mom for loving me unconditionally, even when I’m not at my best. I am thankful to you for supporting me no matter what. I am thankful to you for being on my side and cheering me on through the good and the not so great. I am thankful to you for providing an amazing home for me to come home to from college. I am thankful to you for all that you do for my brother and I. But most of all, I am thankful to you for being my hero.

It sounds cliché to say your mom is your hero, I know. But if someone were to ask me, “who is your hero?” I’d say her, hands down. She has always been an amazing mother and support system. But there’s so much more to her. She is an adventurer, a yogi, a therapist, a traveler, a sister, a daughter, etc. She has inspired me to continue to take risks and to never give up on myself because I'm often more capable than I realize. I have watched my mom go through perhaps one of the hardest times in her life and exhibit such grace and strength throughout it. She is a fighter, a believer, a warrior. And she never fails to see the good in people. She never fails to stop loving.

Growing up, my brother and I were extremely sensitive children. We were afraid of trying new things. Home was our "safety net" where all of our many needs would be met and more. My mom provided a safe, healthy, loving environment for us to be able to truly “be ourselves.” And we needed that as little children. We needed to feel safe.

My brother and I went to a private elementary and middle school with a grand total of 60 kids in our graduating classes. My parents chose this school for us because they believed it was a place full of love and nurturing similar to our environment at home. When I graduated middle school, I knew I wanted something more, I wanted “the real world” feel. So I decided to go to a well-known public high school with a total of 750 students in my graduating class. A little culture shock for sure! I saw the real world, and I had to grow up fast. I wasn’t getting straight A’s anymore and once again, I was afraid to try new things.

At this new school, my mom pushed me to do choir, she pushed me to do cross country, through all my crying and my fears, she pushed me to do it. Without her, I don’t think I would’ve attempted to join either. She knew that I needed to start to “grow up” a little and that it was time for the "safety net" to expand. Joining those groups were some of the best experiences I had in high school. Her role as a mother switched in a way, from being purely a "safety net," to providing some necessary tough love. Looking back on it, that was exactly what I needed.

My childhood was pretty awesome. I had an amazing 18 years with two supportive, loving parents. Things started to change when I was applying for colleges and graduating high school. Applying for colleges and graduating high school is a pivotal time in anyone’s life. During that time was a transition, not just for me, but for my entire family. We all weren’t at our best. Divorce, selling my childhood home, and watching my parents struggle, isn’t the easiest. But watching my mom exhibit a level of strength and grace through that difficult time is why I consider her, my hero. She always put my brother and I first. She stood her ground and always put on a smile, even if she didn’t feel that way. She was able to forgive and to continue to love in more ways than one. If I put myself in her shoes during that time, there’s no way I’d be able to keep the strength she had. She is admirable.

I hardly need to be pushed to try new things now. I do them on my own. My mom knew I wanted to go abroad for a little while and that I needed to "do something for myself" this past summer. So I followed in her footsteps as she did as a 19-year-old, left the country, and went to Paris and London on my own for two and a half weeks. Without her support and love, I couldn't have done it. Her adventures have inspired me to create my own...and I can't wait for more.

I am tougher and stronger from that experience. I am not as afraid to take risks as I was as a little girl…my mom’s tough love helped me get there. I call my mom almost every day now at college. She did an amazing job at raising me, and now it’s my turn to support her. It’s my turn to give back to the woman who has single handily made the biggest impact on my life. Our relationship now is a whole lot of love and support and laughter and checking in on each other’s lives. I am the person I am today because of my mom…because she never stopped believing in me and because she is and will continue to be, my hero.

I love you, Momma.

This last picture is her on El Camino de Santiago in Spain. It is a 500-mile walk that she completed last May. Once again, she inspires me.