Dear Mom,

Thank you. I know I don't say it enough. But really, thank you. I know I wouldn't be the person I am today without your guidance.

You taught me to be myself.

You always let me be me. You never pushed me into doing anything. You let me make my own decisions on the things I wanted to do or not do. You let me decide who I wanted to be, but of course not without your motherly guidance.

You taught me to always be true to my values.

You were the teacher in my life that taught me why it was so important to stay true to my values.

You taught me to cook.

I know you hate cooking. But you make some bomb.com food. I am so glad you taught me how to cook, because otherwise I would eat chicken nuggets for dinner everyday. Not that it would hurt my feelings to eat chicken nuggets everyday, but that's not healthy.

You taught me to clean.

Cleaning is not your favorite thing either, but I'm so glad you taught me how to clean. I appreciate it, and I'm sure my roommates appreciate it too. I know how to do the dishes and clean the stove, and especially how to wash my clothes.

You taught me to laugh.

Life can throw ridiculous things at you, and you taught me to laugh at it.

You taught me to always eat the cookie.

When life puts a cookie in front of you, always eat it. Even if you've already eaten three cookies, if someone offers you a cookie, always eat the cookie.

You taught me that it's cool to spend all day in my pajamas.

It is cool to spend all day in pajamas, sometimes you just need a day to relax. If relaxing means spending all day in pajamas, it's OK.

You taught me to forgive.

No matter how much someone hurt you, you always found it in your heart to forgive them, even if it took time to get there. Because in the long run it hurt you more to not forgive.

You taught me to love and to be selfless.

Regardless of what I did you always loved me. You taught me love isn't conditional. When you really love someone, it is an unconditional love. Because you love me unconditionally you taught me to be selfless. You always put me before yourself. If I wanted or needed a new dress or a new pair of shoes, you made sure I had it, even if it meant you would do without.

Without you as my mom, I don't know where I'd be. I'd probably be living in a box, eating chicken nuggets in dirty clothes. Thank you for not only being my mom, but also being the most influential teacher in my life.

Love, Your Daughter