Dear everyone that I have encountered in my life,

Thank you for being part of this crazy ride I call life. You all have made some sort of impact on me and I can't thank you enough. But right now I want to address each of you individually.

Mom,

You've dealt with my shenanigans for so many years and still somehow put up with me. I know I don't talk to you much and we aren't that close, but I love you. You have helped shape me into the woman I am becoming and I couldn't be happier. You worked hard since the day I was born in order for me to live the life you wanted for me. You wanted the best for me, and even though it may not seem like it, I appreciate it. I appreciate everything you do for me. I appreciate you. You're an amazing mom (even when you come home cranky from work). I wouldn't ask for any other mom. I love you!

Dear best friend,

You know who you are. You were the ones who stuck with me through some pretty rough times. You talked me out of doing some immensely stupid things. You laugh with me. You smile with me. You even cry with me. You care about me and I care just as much about you. Sometimes we want to rip each other's throats out, but that's because we care so much about each other! We can't stand by and let the other doing something idiotic that will really change them. We look out for each other. I know I'm not around very often and that I've become very withdrawn, but I promise I still care and love you. You're my best friend and I don't know what I would do without you.

Grandma,

I know you're looking down on me from wherever you are. Even though you're gone, your presence is all around me. It's in my actions, my gestures, my attitude, my everything. You are the one woman who shaped me the most in the 17 years I had with you. It's been a long time without you, but I will always remember you. I could never forget you because I am a lot like you. You held so many qualities that I admired. I hope you keep watching me as I grow up and I hope that you're proud of the person I become.

My absent father,

I don't have much to say to you, but I want to thank you. Thank you for leaving my mom before she had me. Thank you for never taking the time to call and check in on me. Thank you for only seeing me one time in my life. Thank you for making that day one I can't remember because I was too young. Thank you for not leaving my mom anything to give to me. Thank you for letting me live life not knowing where I come from, who I come from. For not letting me meet my family. Thank you for making it hard to believe a man can actually stay in someone's life. Thank you for not being there. If you had been then I wouldn't be the same person I am today. And the one thing I am the most thankful for is the fact that I can one day be proved wrong. One day there will be a man that will stay and prove that not all men are as bad as you. One day there will be a man who is there for his child. One who would never even think to abandon their kid. Thank you.

Dear random strangers,

I know we don't know each other. We may have only passed by each other on the street. We may have spoken at the check out of a store. We may have made awkward eye contact at some point. Or we haven't even met in person, but on some online forum. No matter what way we came into contact, I want to say that it makes a difference. That moment we came into contact caused a ripple effect in both of our lives and it is amazing how things can turn out after a random encounter. I may not know you, but I do appreciate you for the role you played in my life. Hopefully, you can do the same with others, including myself.

I just want to thank the people who are in my life because I hardly ever express my gratitude for you all. You're all molding me into this person that I will one day become, and I am excited to see how I turn out. I am even more excited to see how I am able to play a part in your lives!