It takes some one really brave to be a mother, some one strong to raise a child, and someone special to love someone more than herself. - Lilly

Mama, if I haven’t told you lately, thank you. Thank you for being the woman that you are on an everyday basis. You are the most beautiful and selfless woman that I know with such a God-fearing heart and a strong mind. From the early mornings to the late nights, you are still going. I see you constantly strive for more and more each and every day and I am so amazed at all that you are capable of. If I could compare you to anyone it would have to be Superwoman, but with a bit more sass and class.

As a nurse, you’ve spent your whole life taking care of others only to come home to continue that job. Don’t think it went unnoticed mama. Those late nights when I would wake up sick, you were always there, don’t think it went unnoticed mama. All those boo-boo’s you would kiss, don’t think it went unnoticed mama. The dance competitions you spent countless hours and dollars on just to make me happy or feel like my big sister, don’t think it went unnoticed mama. The hours you spent with me or worrying about me, don’t think it went unnoticed mama. All of the prayers you shared for me, don't think it went unnoticed mama. The time you taught me how to walk like a lady in the parking lot using a yellow line, don’t think it went unnoticed mama. The time you dropped everything and jumped onto the first flight back to be with me when I had to go to the hospital, don't think it went unnoticed mama.The tears you cried for me, don’t think it went unnoticed mama. The laughs you shared with me, don’t think it went unnoticed mama.

Even though I know you hid it well, I hated to see you hurt mama. It breaks my heart to see you upset. Sometimes I caused those tears and I’m sorry mama. I never meant to make you cry. Thank you for never giving up on me and pushing me to do those hard things that I’m not too sure I could have accomplished without you. You have sacrificed so much in your life for me and I can't thank you enough.

Thank you for being my best friend mama. You are the first person I tell my greatest accomplishments to and share my worst fears with. I know before I was so ready to get out of the house I once called home but I find myself always coming back there now just to see you. I find myself calling you just to talk. I find myself texting you, just to tell you I love you. I find myself listening to those voicemail's you leave saying “Leslee, this is your mother call me“ late at night when I’m up worrying about you now. I can’t delete them. I’m too scared to, because I can’t picture a time in my life that I would ever want to go without hearing your voice.

Mama, most importantly, I need you to know that I love you. I can’t leave you without hearing it back because those three words fill my heart with such a calmness I can’t even explain it. Those three words are the purest three words ever spoken and when I hear them from you I always smile. Thank you for making me a smile mama.

I love you too mama, I love you too.