As another Father's Day passes, I get to celebrate the day with my wonderful, strong mother who plays the role of both parents in one person. I owe the past 19 years of my blessed and privileged life to the mom who does it all—Happy Father's Day, Mom.

When I was only a few months old, my father walked out of and my mom's and my lives. But even then, my mother knew that her number one priority was to love me regardless of our situation, and to give me the best life I could ever ask for.

18 years later, she has given me just that; a lovely home, three cats, two dogs, a fantastic education and an irreplaceable bond between a mother and her daughter.

Of course I struggle with the absence of my father at times; however, there is never a day that I wish my life was any different. The relationship I have with my mother is rare, and I cherish it with everything I have.

My mother playing the role of both parents has allowed her to become my very best friend. I respect her as my parent, but I also have fun with her as my friend. She is my go-to in every situation; the person I go with petty gossip or the stress of every day life.

My mother has taught me beyond what two parents could ever teach me. She has taught me resilience by example by constantly pursuing her dreams as years go by. She has shown me that I can accomplish anything through hard work and dedication. She has shown me that beauty radiates from the inside out, and that anyone who can't see it is at a loss.

No matter how difficult life got, whether this was financially, medically or in the family, my mother has always managed to find the light at the end of the tunnel; which has in turn helped me to not only become an effective leader, but an exquisite woman, daughter, friend, student and employee.

When my father left, my mother could have wallowed away and let it get the best of her, but instead she decided to make the most of it and give me the best life possible. I owe every single good thing in my life to her. All I work toward is to show her that her hard work has paid off, and that I never needed two parents to be a successful woman.

So, again, Happy Father's Day, Mom—thank you for being my mother, my father, my best friend, my everything.