Growing up, I was always attached to my mother's hip. Quite literally too, because it was a rarity that I ever left her side. I remember her telling me a story back when I first started school that she had gone to the store and thought she had lost me and panicked for a second before remembering where I was.

My mom always has and always will be my best friend. She has done everything for me and has given up more things than I've been let on to believe. All so I can have the best life and do the things I want to do.

I can't count how many practices, performances, or school functions she has devoted her time to taking me to and attending. At one point she was the math tutor at my elementary school, and she hates math! She is my support system, my cheerleader, and I know I can always count on seeing her in the audience to cheer me on.

As I've gotten older, I'm not home as much as I would like to. I'm pretty much a ghost in my own house, seeing my family majority on the weekends and passing through during the week, and I know this takes a toll on my mother, but I love the fact that she always waits up for me to get home from work and will lend an ear as I tell her about my day (even if it's almost 1am).

She doesn't think that she's a cool and fun mom, but she truly is. Even going to the grocery store is an adventure with her because we're always talking and laughing on the car ride there. We used to do this thing in the summer occasionally when I was younger called "going crazy". She would plan out a fun day and not tell me, my sister, or my step-brother where we were going so when we'd ask her only reply was, "we're going crazy!" Nine times out of ten this meant we were going mini golfing and it was always the greatest time.

Being one of the only performing arts buff in my family, I have introduced my loving, supportive mother and family to a wide array of musicals whether I performed in them or wore them down enough to take me to go see them (what's even better is to see the look on their face during the show). My mom is my go-to theatre buddy and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I may not always say it or show it, but I'm incredibly thankful for my mother and all that she does and has sacrificed for me to live my life to the fullest. She deserves the moon and more. Thank you Mom for being my best friend, my cheerleader, and the best mom ever. I love you!