Dear Amma,

I don't know where to begin. Since day one, even before I was born, you have given me more care and affection than what anyone could ask for. You would always know exactly what I wanted and give me everything before I even asked. You taught me right from wrong, A to Z, and 1, 2, 3.

You let me play with your hair as you bear me in your arms and gently caressed me. You chased my crazy self in and out of houses to feed me a couple bites each and every day in the hot sun of our Hyderabad street. You took me to beautiful places, like Tirupathi and Chennai, and taught me so much about our culture, values, and traditions.

As I grew older, you gave me such sincere advice to help me deal with difficult people and situations in my life. Over the years, you have provided me a soft shoulder to lean on and a warm embrace that comforts and encourages me.

From the day that I was born to this very day, you have been showering me with unconditional love.

And even then, I have not always been able to reciprocate that tenderness that you give me...Remember that time I was ignorantly playing hide-and-seek and knocked over and shattered a glass frame on accident? Remember all those times that I kept you up all night because I was sick or crying and needed someone to give me courage to fight through the pain? Remember the days when I used to refrain from talking to you after I got angry for you yelling at me, even though you were only trying to teach me what's right?

But regardless of what I do and how I behave, you've never let anything bad I do prevent you from still pouring in all your affection. You never keep a naughty vs. nice list because you have always put me on the nice side and have gotten me everything I need no matter what.

I know I can always count on you for anything and everything I need, whether it be for school, dance, or even just home. You have been with me through every single up- and down- in my life, and sometimes you know me better than I know myself. I really don't know how you balance everything in life because you are so busy with work and tasks around the house and helping other people; the list could go on and on. All I know is that you are the superwoman of my life. Never have you let any other duty hinder you from providing me with each and every thing, and I am simply left in awe for how you do it.

Merely saying "thank you" would never serve justice to everything that you deserve. So all that I can say is... I love you Amma.

I love you more than anything and I cannot ever imagine leaving your side. It haunts me to even think about what I'll have to go through next year when I have to leave for college. But for now, I just want to stay close to your embrace for as long as I can and tell you "I love you" every single second for the rest of my life.

Love,

Snigdha, your #1 fan