Dear Mom,

Growing up I know I was a handful, and probably still am. I know that going through the middle school phase of my life and into high school was not an era you probably want to repeat. I was stubborn, annoying, needy and way to pessimistic. I thought that I had everything figured out and that I didn't need your help. Let me tell you right now, I was SO wrong. I never appreciated you making my lunch every day. I didn't notice that my laundry was always done for me. I did not notice the small things you would do for me.Looking back at it now, I wish that I had thanked you for everything you did for me when I was living at home.

I noticed that going away to school I did not have my life together like I previously thought I did. I did not have the stability in my life knowing that someone was going to be there for me at night to tell me they are proud of me or to take care of me when I was sick. Being in college and officially an adult, I miss those things more than ever...and the silly thing is that I never before considered myself a 'mommy's girl'.

One thing that I have learned recently was that I need you more than I ever thought I would need someone. I have had many set backs lately and have learned a lot about myself and you have been nothing but supportive of me. College is one of the most difficult things for many of reasons and not having 'your person' to tell you that you're doing okay is hard.

Between endless nights of studying, trying to maintain a balance of self care and a social life, and having other curricular activities and jobs on your plate, life can get pretty tough. Trying to handle relationships of all kinds, maintain professional networks and trying to pay bills with the little money a college student has, just one day can get so tedious and tiresome. Between being mentally, physically and emotionally strained, it is hard to find that one person to call or vent to with all the circumstances of being an adult. I thankfully realized that you were that person and I cant be more grateful.

So with all that said thank you SO much for everything you have done and continue to do for me. Thank you for letting me call you 74 times a day and actually answering. Thank you for not judging me on my stupid decisions, and helping me make better ones. Thank you for allowing me to be original and not pressuring me to do one thing or another. Thank you for always being a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for helping me be a better person and teaching me the rights and wrongs. Overall, thank you for being my Mom.