Momma,

At one moment in my entire life, you were the only one that knew I existed. Until you told anyone, it was just you and me (#DreamTeam). I remember the stories you told me about how excited you were to be expecting your first child; how excited you were for me. You were the first person to ever love me unconditionally without even knowing what I would be like (I hope I turned out to be good... you be the judge). Eighteen years is a really long time to deal with a person, but you have made it this far with me, so you have convinced me that love is real.

Growing up, my fondest memories are with you. Every time I got a scrape on my knee, I would run to you and act as if my entire leg had fallen off (drama queen from the start). Whenever there was a school event, you would be there with the most snacks. When someone was mean to me, you taught me the power of love over animosity, and how I should be kind to others (except that one girl because we just really didn't like her). You taught me how to be proud of who I am and the importance of self-love. You hosted the best play-dates, and always made sure I was the best dressed (even if I ended up spilling food all over my clothes after). I often remember the times when I would drag you into my room to play dolls with me, and you would sit there for hours, making up voices and funny personalities for all of them. I had such a wonderful childhood with you by my side, thank you.

Through middle school, you were there for all the phases: heavy bottom eyeliner and colorful eyeshadow phase, the "I only wear Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch" phase, the "I think I'm in love with the boy I met five minutes ago phase", the American Girl book about your "growing body" phase, the Juicy Couture tracksuit phase, the Radio Disney phase (I apologize for making you listen to the Jump In! soundtrack five times straight), and every single other one that would make any mother cringe. You let me go through all of them, still went out in public with me, encouraged me to be myself, and continued to love me the same, thank you.

High school was the same story. You were there for it all. Even when people that I considered my best friends became distant, I could always count on you to be a good listener. You were there to wipe my tears after a boy didn't like me back, you were cheering for me when I got my first good grade in Earth Science, you constantly tried to understand typical high school slang (LMFAO is an abbreviation, not a word), you brought me all the books I frequently left at home to school, you had the biggest smile at all my choir concerts with your massive iPad recording me, and you were always my biggest fan. I would not have been able to make it without you, thank you.

I am not a perfect person. I can get sassy, loud, angry, and annoying. I don't clean my room every time you ask (sorry), and sometimes I seem like I don't appreciate you enough. The truth is, I would probably be living under a rock without you. You give me the strength and motivation I need to get back up whenever I fall down. You allow me to explore different interests and experiences, but you teach me how to be responsible and respect boundaries. I remember being a child and running around with you on the playground like it was yesterday. Sitting here in my college dorm, I would do anything go back to the times where we could hang out every day and eat ice cream for breakfast. You look young enough that you could pass as a college student, maybe you can apply here. Everyone thinks we look like sisters, anyway.

Momma, there is so much I want to say, but it is a challenge to fit my entire life into a few paragraphs. Even if I had all the money in the world, I would never be able to pay you back for all you have done for me so far in my life. All of the sacrifices that you have made for me, even the ones I don't know about, are so meaningful to me. I hope that one day I can love my own child the way you love me each day. What I can say right now is...

Thank you for the way you love me.

I hope this made you smile,

Your daughter

P.S. You are the queen. *queen emoji*