You are my best friend. I appreciate everything you have done for me. Only words on the page can tell you the things I don't have the guts to say to you myself.

Hi Mom,

I would have written a song and sung it for you, but you know how I am about that. But this is the moment I've been waiting for, and the one you have been dreading. I graduated with flying colors, and I'm about to hit the lovely twenties. College is coming faster than we'd like. I know it makes you cringe and it makes you worry. This is it mom-I'm leaving your nest. I don't want you to worry about me when I'm gone. I want you to be happy.

I want to thank you for being understanding of all the stupid things I do. Thank you for teaching me to be patient, supporting me, and setting me in my faith. Because of you, God will always be by my side. Thank you for always putting family first-whether it be feeding me and you go hungry. Thank you for taking me to everything like surgeries and appointments, or even just being there when I need a shoulder to cry on.

Thank you for always letting me make bad decisions, that way I can learn what I did wrong. You are the smartest person I know. I know you hate it when I say "I know" all the time, clearly I don't know everything. You have never judged me — you have accepted that I am open to my sexuality. Thank you for letting me be myself, I will raise my children the same way.

I know in the past I didn't try my hardest in school, I know what I was capable of-I just didn't want to be that smart kid. You have pushed me until I broke-and I want to thank you for that. Because of you, someone else's breaking point is my strong point. Because of you, fear doesn't shut me down, it strengthens me. You have taught me bravery, and you have taught me to be better. I want to thank you for annoying me to get things done. I know I'm going to miss that where I get to college and don't want to do anything. I will always hear you saying my full name when I do something stupid or wouldn't concentrate on my work.

So this is where I should be saying goodbye, but who needs goodbyes? I'm sorry I have to leave you for Bowling Green, but you know we won't last long before we have to see each other. Hopefully you show up on that motorcycle you've always wanted. I just want you to be happy Mommy, that's all I've ever wanted. When you miss me, just watch "Friends" or "Supernatural." Make sure you listen to Patsy Cline, Harry Styles, or Elvis Presley. I hope that cheers you up. Is it doesn't, you know I'm only one call away. I'll sing you to sleep.