Dear Mom,

You really are the best person I know.

Never in my life have I met someone so willing to give, love, and show me the ropes on everything from cooking to Twitter hashtags. I could not picture my future without you in it, and I am exactly where I am today because of your hard work and dedication.

Thanks for teaching me as a child to be loving. You showed me that just a simple note in my lunchbox can make my whole day. You sacrificed your time through countless school field trips to the museum, every dance practice, tennis camp, and Girl Scout meeting.

In middle school, you constantly put up with me. Through my horrible mood swings, awkward acne stage, and just awful taste in clothes, you supported me with a little tough love. You let me branch out and try new things while still being the arms I would run into after a hard day. Thank you for supporting my love of Kelly Clarkson and my obsession with "High School Musical."

During high school, I sure gave you a run for your money. I joined anything and everything at school and you somehow never missed even one parent meeting, awards ceremony or sports banquet. I did crazy things with friends, cried over boys, and got ready for every school dance with you - and those are some of the best memories that I will ever have.

Thank you for teaching me that Dairy Queen is always the right choice, no matter what time of night it is. Thank you for showing me classic movies like "Pretty Woman" and "Dirty Dancing," and supporting my love of books. You let me paint my room Pepto Bismol pink, dye part of my hair pink, and get pink pencils. So, basically, you are the bomb.

You loved me so much through each of my ups and downs in those four years and were always a phone call away: during my first car accident, after my first major letdown, and after I got into my dream college. You looked over countless homework assignments and college essays, helping me make them perfect. You fixed my hair and taught me the value of an eyebrow wax, always making an effort to help me see the beauty in myself that I had not discovered. You did countless loads of my laundry, too - that never went unnoticed.

Now that I'm in college, you get to be more than my mom, you get to be my best friend. You follow me on Twitter, expect lengthy emails and texts, and are still always a phone call away. Without you in my life, I would have dropped out of college already. I love the fact that even though I am 1,974 miles away from you, somehow I feel like you're five minutes away. Thank you for the gifts of food, boy advice, and laundry knowledge that has kept me alive for the past three years.

You raised me in such a love-filled environment, I cannot imagine not raising my children the same way you raised me. When we faced rough things in life, we faced them together. We stayed together, glued by your love and perseverance. You are my rock, my biggest cheerleader, and my constant love. Thank you for all that you have done, and I miss you so much. Love you, Mommy.