To all my moms,

Moms are a special kind of breed. They seem to always have the right answers when you do not have a single clue. They can read your body language and facial expressions like nobody else. And it doesn't help that inside of their huge purse is always something you need, whether its Chapstick, a granola bar, or even a few bucks. They're beginning to sound like Mary Poppins.

Growing up, my mother's name was always too hard for my friends to pronounce so when I would introduced her to my friends, I would simply introduced her as Mom, and somehow the name just stuck with her. As we all got older and my friends became more like brothers and sisters, you guys became a mother figure in my life.

Every single one of you has been there to give advice when I needed it, put food on the table for me when I swore that I was going to starve to death, or were even just a shoulder to cry on when I had a long day. You all have taught me life lessons that I carry with me today, thinking about each one of them when I run into situations where I would need their guidance. 'What would Mama *insert last name* do?' lingers in the back of my mind as I take on new challenges in my day to day life.

I have been blessed to be showered with love and support from all of you amazing women who I have had the privilege of calling Mom. As I continue my journey, I hope to continue to have more women like the ones I know enter my life and encourage me to become a better version of the person I am today.

- J