Growing up, you don’t typically think about how much your mom makes an impact on you… well, at least I didn’t. However, as I am developing into the person God made me to be, I am beginning to see her in myself.

As a mom, in most circumstances, you will probably seek for the “best mom” award. You will try your hardest to provide for your kid’s needs while being the fun parent. Within you will be a drive to keep emotionally stable so you won’t look weak in front of your family. It will become a priority that putting your needs second in order for us to be happiness will occur naturally. But, Mom, please understand that it’s not necessary that you become the wonderful mom; you already are.

Mom, it’s quite obvious how you portray yourself -- the mom that doesn’t quite do enough; the parent that feels she let us down. But, please listen to me. You’re phenomenal. I love you more than you realize, and I’m sorry that I don’t verbalize it enough. I fail to show the love that you have provided for me. Although I often pick on you (out of love, of course), it’s absolutely crazy how you would do just about anything for me. When I am down, you’re there in a heartbeat. You offer your shoulder for me to cry on and are one of the few people that can make me smile when I want to avoid the world. And, most importantly, you helped me become who I am today. Without you, I would not have been raised into the person that would learn to laugh at herself and to appreciate cat videos more than I probably should.

But it’s crucial that we don’t give a false representation to the world. No family is perfect. Every family will have their rough patches, us included. Through life, we will be given trials that, at the time, feel unbearable. Perhaps ones that make us feel like we are at a dead end. However, without you, these things would be quite difficult to overcome. Despite these hardships, I wouldn't change them for the world because those moments are what bring us closer and for that I will be forever thankful.