Dear Mom,

It took me 17 years to realize how much you mean to me. I always have loved you but I never understood your value. I wanted to write this letter to you in honors of National Best Friend's Day because you are my best friend. I am not ashamed to say that you are my best friend because although my best friends are amazing, nobody can compare to how much you care about me and how much you love me. You have forgiven me every time I hurt you or made you cry. Nobody can ever put up with me like this. Thank you for forgiving me for everything. Like you always said, “I should be the closest girlfriend to you and you should be able to open up to me just like you do to Cherry.” It took me 17 years but I am so proud to say that you are the closest person to me in my life and I am so glad I can tell you anything. You’re the best!

Before I went away for college, I always saw you as overprotective and controlling because you are always worried about me and every little thing. I was embarrassed every time you call my friends to make sure I am not lying about who I am hanging out with or making sure nobody is being a bad influence on me. I never knew that it was because you were worried about my safety over anything else. Thank you for staying up all night to make sure I come home safely although you have work the next morning. Sometimes, you don’t even get 2 hours of sleep because you have to wait up all night long because you were so worried.

I am so sorry for everything I’ve done; it was not intentional. I hope you know that. I just did stupid things because I didn’t realize how much it will affect you and the whole family. I am sorry for going away for college and living away for the whole year in Albany. I am sorry that you have to have dinner alone at night every single day because I am not there. I am deeply sorry for not coming back home together at Burmese New Year Thingyan because I wanted to stay and hang out with my friends. I am truly sorry for everything I’ve done.

I’ve realized how much you mean to me; it just took me awhile to really know the value of something. That’s why I decided to come back home to live with you. I am so happy we get to do laundry together and cook together on your day off. I am extremely happy to see your smile every time we get to have dinner together. Thank you for raising me and for everything you have done for me and our family. You mean the world to me and I love you more than anyone else in the world.

Love,

May Khin