To my anchor,

When I was born, my dad gave you a diamond heart necklace. Now I wear it everyday, and I can feel your love radiate through it.

At six years old, you surprised me on my birthday and took me to get my ears pierced. I cried for 21 seconds. I hugged you a lot.

At 11 years old, you never once doubted me when I told you my ankle hurt. It took eight months to get a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, but you never gave up on me.

At 13 years old, you (and dad) threw me the "sweetest" Bat Mitzvah I could've ever asked for.

At 15 years old, I wasn't the easiest daughter to have around.

At 16 years old, I really, really, really wasn't the easiest daughter to have around.

At 18 years old, I left for college and fell in love with Florida. I wish you could up and move south, but I know it's not that simple.

At 21 years old, we FaceTime almost everyday when I'm away at school. I really do look forward to those FaceTimes.

When you say, “I love you,” I know you mean “I would do anything for you.”

When you wish me good night, I know you’re telling me you hope all my dreams come true.

When you end our phone calls with “goodbye,” I know you’re always with me regardless of distance.

When I see you cry, I only ever wish I could wipe away your tears before they even began—even if I’m the reason you started crying.

You show your love in so many ways I couldn’t begin to write them all down, and I am eternally grateful for you and all that you do, even if I don’t show it all the time.

I consider myself so lucky to have grown up with a mother as strong as you. A mother who stands up for herself and what she believes in. Though our strong personalities often cause us to butt heads and we don’t agree on everything, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You will forever hold the most important place in my heart, for you are not just my mom, my mother, and my mommy, but you are my best friend.

I hope this day is as beautiful as you are.

ILY2TM&B,

Your anchor...

(Who didn’t feel the need to pay for a card when I could just write my own)