For those who are not already aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is for that reason that this month is extremely close to my heart. In 2000, my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She is a 15-year survivor, and I never miss the opportunity to tell people how my mom (and other family members) kicked cancer's a**.

("Arrow" star Stephen Amell launched his second F-Cancer campaign. Please check out it and I hope you will consider buying something to support the cause.)

Mom,

[Disclaimer: knowing you and your emotions, you will probably cry. So you should probably grab some tissues.]

I love you.

In case, I don't tell you enough. (Because I don't.)

You showed me what it means to love without conditions, without restrictions, without limits. When I accidentally dropped your phone while doing the dishes, you showed me discipline. When I gave you a "Happy Mother's Day" card I made at school, you showed me that you loved it even though we both know it was terrible. When I did the cat chores without being told, you showed me how you proud of me you were. When someone started bullying me, you showed me how protective of me you are. When I decided I wanted to go to UNI and pursue a Graphic Design (now, IDS) major, you showed me how supportive of my dreams. When I needed a little money for gas, you showed me how you would help me out whenever I needed it. When I called you crying because I don't know what I want to do with my life and you comforted me, you showed me that it's okay to not have my life figured at 19. When I told you about something exciting that recently happened, you showed me how you happy you were for me.

You know I have a way with words, but there is no amount of words to convey how much I appreciate all the lessons you taught me and continue to teach me. From responsibility (financial and etc.), how to be a friend, what a good work ethic looks like, what it means to be a good person to even those who don't return the same sentiment, to many other lessons, you greatly influenced and continue to shape the woman who I am today.

For that, there isn't anything I do, say, give to you to ever repay all you have given me and all that you have sacrificed for me. I hope a simple "thank you" and "I love you" will do for now.

It's for all those things why I'm so freaking proud of you for fighting and eventually kicking cancer in the butt. You fought and fought and endured what was probably the most painful time in your life to make sure you were around to see me (and Billy and Rachel) graduate from kindergarden to middle school to high school, and, in a couple of years (hopefully), college.

To close this letter, multiple "thank you"s need to be said.

-Thank you for being my rock.

-Thank you for being there for me when I need you.

-Thank you for the advice that "it will happen when I least expect it."

-Thank you for telling it like it is when I need a wake-up call.

-Thank you teaching me how important an alarm clock is.

Love your daughter,

Melissa