Ma,

I sat down to write this and was at a loss for words. It took me quite a while to formulate the right words to say to you. I'm not sure you know this but, you are my best friend. You are the person I call when I'm sick, hurting, bored, and angry. I want to say thank you for answering my five phone calls a day. I remember you joked about it once, that I trip, and call you. The reason for this is because, you are the person that I want to tell everything to. The reason that you are my best friend is because we are so much alike. You gave me things that no other person could, like my passion for serving others. Not that Dad doesn't serve others because we all know that he does. Mom, your heart for helping others, is where my love for serving started. You gave up your entire career to move across the country so that Dad could pursue his dreams and follow the Lord. You chose to say at home and take care of the girls and I because you didn't want us in daycare. You decided to spend every summer forcing us to do summer school because you wanted us to succeed academically. You spent everyday making sure we did our homework and read every night, once again because you wanted us to succeed academically. Not only did you choose the girls and me, you decided to invest in each one of us. Now that I am older, I see the ways that you are not only investing in me, but the ways that you are investing in Rachel and Zoe. You drove three hours with me at 10pm to help me move into my house and then drove three hours back the next afternoon so that you could be back to take Rachel and Zoe to their open houses. Not only did you drive down here, you made Heath, Charles and I multiple dinners. You are more than appreciated, you are so loved. By far the most impressive thing you have ever done for me is put up with my defiance in the most loving way, from when I didn't want to wear my patch, to when we argued about every little thing in high school. I believe that we fought and fight because we think so similar and I want to say that nine times out of ten you are right. One of my favorite qualities about you is your gentleness. You are so soft and so sweet with girls and me. I know that you get this gentleness from your mom and I am so thankful for that. I also wouldn't change the fact that you are so much like your mom. When I sit and talk to your mom, I sit and think about how sweet and gentle you will be when you get older. I know that my kids will have a grandma that they will want to sit and talk to for hours. I pray that they will Love you the way that I love your mother. I remember when I was younger I used to say that I hated you and wanted a different mom. Well, I am sorry for saying that because I would have never met my best friend. I will always be a momma's boy, and I will still feel safest by your side. I know that we all joke about who gets to take care of you and Dad when you get older, but I call dibs. I want you and Dad to live by me. I want my kids to be surrounded by you and Dad's love, gentleness, and knowledge. I know this is kind of ironic since I am the first one out of the house, but I think it is really just because I want to be near you so I can give you hugs. If you were to ask me the thing I miss most about being at college it's not Brady, it's your hugs. As of a few minutes ago, you and Dad might be coming down here next weekend and I can not wait to give you a very large hug. There are not enough words in the world to describe what you mean to me and how much I Love You!

-Ben