I was raised in a single parent home and I was also an only child. Thanks to my mother, I am the person that I am today. We did not need or receive help from my father.

I grew up envying kids who had both parents. A mother and a father, I always wished I had that. Father's day was always the worst because I didn't have one to celebrate with. I felt as if I was missing out on things in life because my father wasn't in the picture. But as I grew up, I realized I wasn't missing out at all. I had a mother who was strong enough to be both. She was my mother when I needed her to be: running me to dance and modeling classes, making sure I got to cross country practice, coming to my cross country meets, shopping with me, teaching me how to not overdo my make up, and making sure I always left the house looking my best.

When I needed a father, she was that too: teaching me how to defend myself, standing up for me to bullies and boys, teaching me to drive - how to work a car, and knocking back a cold one with me when I turned 21. And at times when she couldn't be both, she always made sure I had someone there to support me.

I have one person to thank for the person I am today.

I have one person to thank for the things I've gotten to do in life.

I have one person to thank for the places I've been and the places I am going to go.

I have one person to thank: My Mom

Thank you for everything. Thank for being both my mother and father when I needed one. Thank you for shaping me into the person that I am today and always providing for me. You are the greatest mother and father a girl can ask for… Happy Father's Day!