You aren't the woman who carried me for 9 months, stayed up late feeding me, or watched me take my first steps. You also aren't then one of who experienced me driving for the first time, my sassy teenage dancer attitude, or felt the heartache and tears the moment you left my dorm room my freshman year.

However, you are the woman who came into my life unexpectedly. First as a classmate and then a sweet friend who I now call my second mom.

You're a mom with a heart and a strong love for our Heavenly Father, shining His light wherever you go, and a sense of humor that makes me laugh. Whenever I feel lonely or unloved, you're always here for me and know what to say, despite being in a different state.

You were there when I was at my lowest of lows with my eating disorder. After a tiring, 3.5-hour drive from a state away, you came and crashed at my place, stayed awake, and held me as I cried out all my emotions and hurt to you. I remember you asking if I was ever held when I was sad as a child, and I told you no.

You were there when I was frustrated with school and scared for my future. Although you were frustrated too, you showed me how to stand up for myself and be a strong individual. I learned it's healthy to feel frustrated at times and let our feelings out.

You helped me go through one of the scariest times in my life when everything was very unknown and full of fear. I had little to no support from others and spent many days in tears and felt angry at the world around me. It was you who helped me realize I can love my enemies as Jesus would.

You were there when I had an amazing but overwhelming weekend because of my struggles with food. Watching everyone eat full meals while I could only eat a few bites brought on many emotions including guilt, frustration, and sometimes waves of sadness. I remember you cheering me on and beaming with pride and glowing whenever I did eat.

The Lord knew I was missing something which was a mom. You filled all the holes and blessed me in many ways my mom couldn't. You're my "mom away from home in a different state", the person I ran to when I felt like I hit rock bottom. You're someone I relied on when my real mom wasn't there for me, when I needed a hug, and when I needed a reminder that I can do anything I set my mind to.

You are the person who has helped shape me into who I am today, tells me I'm beautiful inside and out, and who has been here when my actual mom hasn't. You've loved me as if I was your own daughter and sometimes it made me really believe I was.

Thank you. Thank you for coming into my life when my heart was broken and l felt lost and was trying to find myself. when I truly needed someone I could look up to. Thanks for countless hours of listening, for listening to me cry over voice messages, feeding me bananas so I wasn't bored at 3 am, giving me moving advice, putting up with my giggling when we get lost in Pocatello, advising me not to eat a whole bag of watermelon Sour Patches, doing scripture study with me, teaching me about Jesus, telling me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear, and so much more.

I see you working hard in school and doing it even though you're exhausted. I know you're working tirelessly, only to wake up and do it again. I see you making difficult decisions for your family and not knowing if they're right. Most importantly, I notice you do an amazing job, even though you might doubt yourself at times. I see you mom, and you're doing more than enough.

You'll never be the woman who brought me into the world. But, you're my second mom, my mom at college, and my mom away from home. Although we aren't related and I've known you for a year, I'll always feel like I'm your daughter.