Hi mommy,

I know I'm 19 and should probably just shorten that to "Mom" but I'll still be your little girl no matter what. Recently, you've been very emotional about how me, your "little girl," is growing up. Turning 20 this year has thrown your view point off kilter and I'm sorry that I can't slow down my growing up process.

You've always talked to me like I was an adult, which is why we're probably friends more than anything. But thank you for actually treating me like one and letting me make my own decisions, no matter how crappy some of them might be.

Thank you for being the great mom that you are. You have always worked so hard for my brother and I that I sometimes forget that you have a life outside of us.

Thank you for teaching me how to be a woman. Thank you for teaching me how to do make up and cook. I appreciate you not letting me always look like a swamp monster.

Thank you for dealing with my crap. I know I'm not the most pleasant of personalities sometimes and I apologize for that.

Thank you for going back to school to further your education. Not only for yourself, you're doing it for all of us and I love you for that.

Thank you for making me still believe in love. After everything you have been through in your life, you have still managed for find love in unexpected places and have made me believe that I can too.

Thank you for being so generous. You're always to giving to everyone. Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to give others things even if you can barely afford it.

Thank you for showing me courage. The courage you showed when you were getting tested for cancer because of that lump was tremendous and I'm so proud that you're my mom.

Thank you for being a "cool mom." You've done things with and for me that other moms would never even think of. Because of you being a cool mom, I like to think of myself as very "grounded." As in, I didn't let wild in college because I was already used to having freedom.

Thank you for being you. Thank you for being the beautiful, spunky, loud soul that you are. Without you, I would not be the me that I am today. Like I said the other day, "people always ask where I get it from." I get it from you.

I want you to know that just because I'm growing up and getting ready to fly completely on my own, out of the nest, you will always be my mommy and I will always be your little girl. The bond that we have formed over the years in unbreakable and I am so grateful for that. No matter where life takes us, we will still have each other. Maybe I'll even teach you how to use Skype! I know that life holds great things for us still and I cannot wait for the best to come.

With lots of love,

Hannah