To my mom and all other moms of the world: Thank you. Thank you for being my hero. Thank you for teaching me right from wrong. Thank you for giving me my dry sense of humor. Thank you for being a role model even when you weren't trying to be. I know you probably don't believe a word I'm saying - I can see it now. You're reading this and thinking, "No that's not me. I'm not a role model!", but you don't understand. I see so much more than you can even imagine. I see all the good in you, and boy, is there a lot!

1. Always going the extra mile

My mom is the queen of always going above and beyond to make someone smile and the best part is that most the time she doesn't even realize how much she is actually doing, because it just seems like second nature to her to make someone as happy as possible. She takes care of everyone before even thinking of herself.

2. Always putting others first

Without a doubt, my mom is the most selfless person I have ever encountered. This woman would give someone the coat off her own back if that meant the other person wouldn't get wet in the rain, because that is who she is. It wouldn't matter how soaking wet she would get if she had to be outside, what matters to her is how others feel.

3. Always trying her hardest

In every challenge thrown her way, my superwoman of a mom will never do something halfway. She makes sure that everything she does is done the best to her ability. I admire that so much because it’s so easy to just “sorta” do something, but to actually try your best in everything you do….well that's just inspiring.

4. Being a strong woman even when it seemed impossible

It’s no secret that being a mom isn't easy, but being a single mom of three? That’s something special. Life hasn’t necessarily dealt my mom the best hand of cards but never once has she complained, nor has she ever given up. She keeps on moving right along with a smile on her face no matter what. In the hardest of times, even when it would be acceptable to take a break from being the strongest woman ever, she won’t. I guess it’s true when they say heroes never take breaks.

5. Being the cool mom ;)

I always give her a hard time about how she’s “embarrassing me” or how “she just doesn’t understand because she's a mom”, but overall, I have the cool mom of my friend group. She knows how to laugh and joke around. She even listens to good music! It sounds a little crazy, but my friends and I actually love to hang out with her. Not to mention how we all know that if we ever needed anything we could call her and she would be there in a heartbeat.

6. Never asking God “why her”

As I mentioned earlier, my mom hasn't had the easiest life. She’s had more than enough hardships to overcome and some to this day she is still trying to overcome, however, her faith in God never shook. Don’t get me wrong, she might have been upset and wondered why these things were happening to her, but overall she knew it was all in his hands, and rather than turning away from God when life got rough, she turned to Him.

7. Showering everyone with unconditional love

Unconditional love is something unique. It’s not easily obtained, it’s hard to keep, and yet somehow, my mother has so much to share. Her love is borderless. Just as God always loves us all no matter how hard we make it, my mom does the same. She lets God’s light shine through her every day in everything she says or does. Anyone who has ever been around my mom can attest that she tries her best to make sure everyone feels okay and loved.

Mom, your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. You aren’t invisible. You matter.

I love you to the stars and back ☆