I was watching a movie and I saw how close the mom was to her daughter in high school, and it made me think. I thought about things I needed to thank my mom for. I hope these are things I can say to her one day in person, like at my future wedding, but if I can't because I would cry too much, here they are. Written down for the whole world to see.

Thank you for raising me the way you did.

Thank you for being strict when you needed to be since I wasn't the best listener and you had to be both parents for me.

Thank you for teaching me that being single is okay. I know the struggles we went through because of it, but we are stronger for that.

Thank you for giving me everything I needed and almost everything I wanted, even though I didn't see it when I was younger.
Thank you for giving me amazing memories that I will never forget.

Thank you for making me feel safe, even when we didn't live in the best of neighborhoods. I never knew it, and that's because of you.

Thank you for not showing me how much pain you were in all the time. Instead of showing me that you were upset, you would just shut your door, and now I see why.

Thank you for putting up with me through my teenage years, I know how horrible I was.

Thank you for supporting me in everything I do.

Thank you for allowing me to do my own thing and realize how much I need you.

Thank you for telling me 'I am not your friend, I am your mother' when I was younger.

Thank you for becoming my best friend after I truly understood what you meant.

Thank you for putting me before you always.

Thank you for making him feel like family already.

Thank you for being there for me.

You deserve your own happiness now. I know you hate the word 'happy' because you've always been a half empty glass type of person, but you do. I'm okay to be on my own now. I'm in the right hands, and you will be too. Thank you for everything you've done and continue to do for me, mom. I love you to the moon and back.