I don't even want to try and imagine my life without my mother in it. She has supported me and been there for me and influenced me in more ways than she can ever imagine. So here's a thank you just for her!

Dear Mom,

You are the best mom in the whole world. You are such an inspiring role model and you have never failed to love and support not just me, but four children. Thank you for everything you have done for us and everything I'm sure you will continue to do for us. We love you and I love you and I'm just so thankful to have you for a mother.

Thank you for taking care of me. From when I was a baby and up until now. Some days I just need a mom hug, and you always do your best to give me encouragement and love, even from 250 miles away. I know you want me to move closer once I graduate, but I think you should be incredibly proud to have raised a daughter who had the courage to go to college and move to a city where she didn't know anyone else and build a life she loves there. Not every mom can say that. You are the reason I have a life that is thriving. I never could have done it without you.

You taught me how to work hard and be responsible for myself. You taught me compassion and how to be understanding. You set a standard for all of us kids that I really hope I've lived up to. You shaped me into the woman I am today because you supported me through my struggles, even when you didn't know I was struggling. Thank you for always noticing when something was wrong, even if I told you it was 'just my face.' The fact that somebody noticed and somebody cared had more lasting effects on me then I think you will ever realize.

Thank you for putting up with me when I was a crabby and almost impossible teenager. I can't imagine dealing with me during that time, let alone going through it with three other kids before me. Thank you for making me stay in at least one sport in high school. My teammates keeping me accountable was something I needed then, and you were so right when you said that one day I would be glad you didn't let me quit swimming.

Thank you for giving me three older siblings that became my best friends, and thank you for always agreeing when I joke about being your favorite child. After all, I am the baby of the family and you saved the best for last.

Thank you for all those times you purposely embarrassed me in front of my friends, and thank you for never holding a grudge against me when we fight. Funny how as I've grown up that I realized you are always right!

Most importantly, thank you for being you. I am proud to call you my mother. I am proud to get to say that my middle name is my mom's name. And I hope you are proud of the life you've led. You raised four healthy children that you continue to love and support. We all adore you, and if I am half the mother you are, the kids I have someday are going to be very lucky. Because if you ask me, you are the most amazing and beautiful mother I ever could have asked for.

I love you Mother!

Love,

Julia Jane