This is a thank you to all the women who have shown me that women can be so much more than what is carved out for us to be. A thank you to the women who have taught me that my definition of womanhood can continuously change and grow and that it is entirely up to me to construct for myself. A thank you to them for reminding me that I can defy the odds, that I can refuse to let labels define me, that I can be whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do.

To my mother: Thank you for always telling me I am beautiful, but making sure I understood that I am much more than that. Thank you for disclosing to me that beauty is much less important than intelligence, resilience and bravery. Thank you for constantly pushing me to do my best. Because of you, I am always motivated to do great things. I hear your voice in my head almost every day and it absolutely helps me through even the most discouraging of days. Thank you for guiding me through some of the toughest years. I know you question your parenting at times, but I don’t know what I can say to prove to you just how great you truly are. Words cannot do justice for the amount of gratitude I have for you. Your guidance, patience and nurturing have shaped me into the individual I am today.

To my grandmother: Thank you for all the warmth and countless hugs. Thank you for the unconditional love and support. Thank you for teaching me that you can constantly reinvent yourself. Thank you for being interested and invested in my life. Thank you for always making sure I know how proud you are of me.

To my sister: I’m sorry for telling you I hate you multiple times throughout our life. I do not, and never will, hate you. I am incredibly thankful for you. You are my built-in best friend. Thank you for always being there for me through thick and thin. Thank you for being as secretly obsessed with Taylor Swift as me, even when it wasn’t cool to like her anymore. Thank you for thinking bathroom humor is the funniest thing ever even though we are long past the age where it is appropriate to laugh at potty jokes. Thank you for being the bubbly and talkative sister during my shy years. Thank you for teaching me to be more courageous like you. You helped me break out of my shell and become the outgoing person I am today.

To my friends: Thank you for being so loyal, reliable and fun. Thank you for listening to every dilemma I have had, no matter how insignificant they actually were. Thank you for all the side-splitting laughing fits. Thank you for keeping me up-to-date with all the drama that I somehow missed. Thank you for all the jam sessions and dance parties. Thank you for sending me memes that you know I’ll appreciate as much as you did.Thank you for always speaking your mind. Thank you for making me feel important and loved. Thank you for inspiring me to step out of my comfort zone more often and to be more independent and adventurous. Life just wouldn't be as fun without you all.

To my aunts: Thank you for being wonderful examples of strength. Thank you for showing me how to live a happy life, even after tragedy and devastation. In times when I feel my weakest, I think about your courage and resilience and I am completely inspired to channel my own strength.

Love,

A strong woman in the making.