Dear Mom,

Thank you. Thank you for all of the support you have given me over the years. Even though you do not necessarily describe yourself as a feminist, you are the reason I describe myself this way. You told me that my brains were much more important than my beauty. You always told me to speak my mind, even in difficult situations. You put my worth in my mind and in my heart, for which I am so grateful for.

Even with all of the things that our family has faced, you still worked so hard to be the best mother you could be. There was a time where you were working two jobs and taking care of three kids. While we did not agree much at that time, looking back, I could see what a strong person you are.

You have always made sure that I reached for the stars. You never let me settle for anything. Ever since I could remember, you and Dad always told me: You're going to college no matter what. You took that so seriously because you made sure Savanna and I had always had books in our hands. You are the reason that I love to read.

You put Evan, Savanna and me before yourself in so many ways. You always dreamed of going back to college, and I am so glad that you made the decision to do so. You are so smart and I was so happy to see you walk across that stage to receive your diploma. I cannot wait for you and I to be able to walk across Goshen College's graduation together stage next April. I am so proud to be able to say, "My mom will be graduating with me next spring!"

You are my biggest inspiration. I hope that I can leave a positive mark on my children, like you did on me. I can only hope that one day my children will look at me the way I look at you. I can only hope that I will be half the mother that you are.

Even though we do not always agree, just know that my love for you will never go away. I love your voice, I love your laugh, I love you. I love that we can sit and talk for hours about anything and everything even though we do not always agree. I love hearing your point of view. You are such an amazing and inspiring person.

Gracias por siempre estar a mi lado. Gracias por siempre creer en mi. Estoy tan orgullosa de la persona que eres. Gracias por ser una gran mama.