Growing up my mom always said, “You’re going to be just like me one day.” I always rolled my eyes and said it would never happen.

But one day I was babysitting and I said something to a child and my mother came out. My mother literally came right out of my mouth. I immediately called her and laughed and said, “You were right, I am you.”

But I couldn’t be happier that I am exactly like my mother. She is the bravest, strong willed person that I know ,and I am honored to be her daughter. I only hope that one day I can raise my children like she did going through college, working a full time job, and having a husband overseas -- nothing has stopped her. I have never met anyone who isn’t afraid to tell you how they feel like she does. She will tell you like it is, and if you don’t like it, too bad.

She raised me to never be afraid of anything, to shoot for my dreams and to never look back. I am so thankful for that. Without her, I wouldn’t be able to say that I have gotten on a plane and traveled through five countries in Western Europe with strangers, or that I moved to North Carolina by myself at 18. I hope that one day I can be as strong and as brave as her.

So mom, Thank You. Thank you for always pushing me to be the best I can be, to never be afraid of change, or commitment, and overall, just being my best friend. I can never thank you enough for everything you have done for me and will continue to do. You are my hero and I strive to be more like you daily.

Thank you for my obsessions with raw cake batter, shih tzus, and "90210." Thank you for telling me to never leave the house without lipstick or earrings. Lastly, thank you for being the best role model and mom I could ever ask for. I love you.