Dear Mom,

I write this to you as though we do not speak almost every day. I just want to let you know that I miss you. I love being in London and studying abroad is the best experience I have had so far in life, but sometimes I wish you were here experiencing this city with me. Now do not get me wrong, I do not mean hop on a flight and stay here as long as I do, I just mean that I hope to experience this kind of travel with you one day.

I could not have made it to Eckerd or London without you, so thank you for all your love and support. Thank you for answering my late night calls and early morning texts, when I forget what the time zone differences are. Thank you for beung my shoulder to cry on, even when its just on FaceTime. Thank you for reminding me that I can handle being in a foreign country, and that I am strong. Thank you for reminding me that I am your daughter.

Every day, I know that it is your tenacity that runs in my veins and that makes me push forward. I know that you raised me to be a strong and independent woman, and that you raised me to ask for help when I need it. If it were not for the strength you provide me with, I probably would have given up on this adventure weeks ago. You taught me that I can survive anything, because, like you, I am a survivor. You raised me this way. Your ability to move forward during even the toughest of times, showed me that I can fight back too.

This back bone and this strong-willed personality that I have, I have becuase of you. When someone mentions my attitude, my mom-like protectiveness, and my ability to be prepared, I know that I got this way from watching you and I am thankful every day for it. While being the mom friend may not seem like a good thing, it is, because it means that I know people are willing to rely on me if they need to. I know that I have put forth my best and that I can be the person someone needs me to be, the way you are for the people that need you.

Even as I am writing this, you have called me once to check in. You never let the physical distance between us hinder our relationship. We get angry with each other sometimes, but we still make sure that we talk everyday. We do not let the minor problems influence the important part of our mother/daughter relationship: love and communication.

Thank you for loving me despite my sometimes bad attitude. Thank you for calling me, when I get too busy to call you. Thank you for reminding me to enjoy myself and to live life to the fullest. Thank you for not getting angry when I suck at budgeting while I am in London. Thank you for being my mother.