You are compassionate, strong, and honest. You are comforting, understanding, and encouraging. You are smart, selfless, and enduring. You are funny, outgoing, and brave. You are my mom and my best friend.

You and I have been best friends since the day I was born, and although we hit a few rough patches when I was growing up, you always managed to put up with me.

You have taught me patience and shown me the definition of true love. When I was at my worst, you looked past that and saw me for who I would become when at my best. When I'm at my best, you keep me humble while encouraging me to pursue my dreams.

I have always valued you as a mom, but I never realized how much I valued you as a friend until I went to call you one day to go see a movie, but then realized we now live three hours apart. I don't know where I would be today if it weren't for our daily shopping trips or road trips just to get donuts and go to TJ Maxx. From small things like grocery shopping and going out to eat dinner, I value every minute we spend together.

You are quick to listen and slow to judge and have never made me question whether or not your love for me is unconditional.

There are days where I wonder if I'll ever be able to be as good of a mom as you are when I have children of my own, so I try to mimic your generosity, love, and selflessness in my day to day life, yet I always fall short. It's moments like these that I realize that I really do have the best mom out there.

I could go on forever about how much I love you and how lucky I am to be your daughter. I don't know what I did to deserve someone like you as my mom, but I am so thankful and I grow to appreciate you more and more every day.

Thank you for raising me, encouraging me, and loving me. You are my rock, my best friend, and the greatest mom there ever was or will be. You are my sunshine, and I love you.