Momma,

There are not many people who can say their mom is their best friend or that can tell their mom everything. I would just like to start by saying thank you for everything you do for me and that I appreciate it more than words can explain but I am going to try.

Mom you push me every day to make a better life for myself because you feel that is what I deserve. But the truth is I had the best life anybody could ever give me because I had you. All I ever needed in life was you there supporting me, pushing me, guiding me, and loving me.

“You were always there when I looked back. You had to do it all alone, make a living, make a home, must have been as hard as it could be…” You could have given up on me, you still can, but you do not. You choose every day to be the best mother you could possibly be. Giving up is not something you do in case you fail to realize that. That is something I admire most about you mom, you never give up. There were times where things were week to week but you always reminded me “everything will work out.” You found a way to raise three kids on your own who at times all played different sports and were in different schools. Mother, you would do anything for us kids and I could not appreciate it more.

As much as I hate to say it, you were right, about everything. About any person in my life, about taking my coat somewhere, putting sunscreen on, wearing tennis shoes instead of cute shoes. Although you lost me at Michigan Adventure when I was four I still would not have wanted to be lost by anybody else, by the way thanks for my nickname so you could find me!

When I say there are no amount of words to describe how thankful I am for you it is true. I could sit here and write millions of words of everything you have done for me but you know everything you have done for me. What you do not know is how I completely and utterly am so proud to be called your daughter. When people say that I look just like you or that I am my mother I beam with happiness. Honestly if I can be one percent of the mother that you are then I’ll be an outstanding mom because you showed me that there is no way to be a perfect parent but a million ways to be a really good one.

So mom, I love you. I strive every day to make sure you are proud of me because that is all I want in life. Thank you for never leaving or giving up, pushing me, and loving me unconditionally.

“I’ll love you forever

I’ll like you for always

As long as I’m living

My mommy you’ll be”

Love, your daughter aka the girl who strives to be you