Mom,

You know how much I've said "I love you," and I mean it every time. When you brought me into the world, I knew we would embark on big adventures. Trust me, we wanted to tear each other apart on some of those trips, but it was all worth it. When I look back to those days, I laugh and we both say, "Never again."

You have been with me at my best and worst. From preschool to now, you've seen it all. You put up with me when I went through that stupid phase where I called you "mama" and "mumsy." I still have a Valentine's Day card that says, "Happy Valentine's Day Mama - Love Max."

Thank you for putting up with my insane thoughts. We both know I have no idea what I say half the time. Thank you for bringing me closer to my grandpa, the only grandparent I ever knew. I still remember going to the 56th Fighter Group restaurant in Farmingdale (which is now, sadly, permanently closed) where we ate chicken fingers, saw fighter planes and danced to old '40s music. You gave me a special bond with him until his death in 2008.

You've made me the person I am today. You've been there for me when I was battling adversity, and I've been there for you for the same. I have dramatically changed in the past few years, and while I had to learn from my experiences, you were by my side as I matured.

I remember coming home from school every day at the door to give you a big hug. Everyone goes through the "mom, you're embarrassing me" phase, and yes, while some things you do are still annoying, they are also hilarious.

I'm sometimes afraid to stand up for myself, but you've shown me how to stand my ground. I know I got some bad behaviors from you, but I definitely got some good ones, as well. That's perfectly normal, as it's all a part of human nature.

In the last decade, we experienced some life-changing events. I believed in you when you changed careers and you did the same as I transitioned to college. There's no doubt it was very difficult for both of us, but look at us now. I don't think we ever expected any of this to happen, but I'm glad it did because everything worked out.

Thank you, Mom. This definitely won't be the last time I write something like this to you. I can't wait to see what kind of adventures we'll go on together in the future.