All my life, I have lived in the same house. I have slept with the comfort knowing you were just footsteps down the hall. Next week, I will be living ten hours away. I will move for the first time in my life. Without you to be by my side. I know I act brave like I have this whole independence thing figured out, but I don't. I'm scared. This next chapter of my life holds so many uncertainties and I am about to go through it by myself. And there is no way I could be at this point in my life if it weren't for you.

You raised me. When I was a little girl, you were the only one I wanted to hold me, much to your sister's dismay. I used to think that I could do anything because I was smart like you. I can do anything, you taught me that. That is why I am branching off. I feel as if it is time for me to be on my own and experience life for myself.

You have always tried to protect me from the dangers of this world and we have argued round and round about mistakes. But we both know the other is stubborn and I have a need to make mistakes of my own and for some reason, I don't learn from other people's. I appreciate all you have done for me, even if sometimes doesn't seem like it.

I am a lot like you, this caused us to butt heads so much while I was growing up. We almost never saw eye-to-eye. I know myself. Raising me could not have been easy, I'm difficult. I still learned from you even when it seemed like I wasn't listening. I am independent, you always say that as soon as my feet hit the floor, I skipped walking and took off running. I am running into this adventure head-on.

I don't want you to think that I am leaving you behind, because I'm not. Just because I am growing older does not mean that you no longer have a place in my life. I am always going to need my mom. You are irreplaceable.

I don't want you to think of this move as if you are losing me. You raised me to be strong and now I need you to be. I am on my way to realizing my dreams because of you. I know there will be lots of tears in this next week, and it is going to be monumentally tough, but it is all for a reason. I know you will be beaming with pride as you are watching me fly.