You are the ultimate mother. I have done absolutely nothing to deserve you. You are the complete, intended manifestation of God’s love and grace. Understanding is your middle name and you wear compassion like a well-tailored, tweed Chanel suit. I observe and admire as you gracefully guide me into adulthood in a way that I hope my daughter will one day observe and admire me.

I am in awe of you every single day, mom. Your smile, your long, thick hair, your weird sense of humor (that I have inherited), the friendships you have cultivated and your seemingly intrinsic happiness. When I feel overwhelmed and frozen in my own skin, I know that a ride in the car with you will thaw me from the languor. When God created me, He knew I would need someone with an extraordinary heart and spirit, so He gave me to you–for that, I am immeasurably, boundlessly and inexhaustibly thankful.

You raised my sister and I completely on your own. When we struggled, your faith in God was unparalleled to anything I had ever seen. Every tear was followed by your soft, calm voice saying, “I know this is in Your hands, Lord.” You have instilled in me the importance of understanding, forgiveness, love and patience. Because of you, I believe without a shadow of a doubt that EVERYTHING happens for a reason and I understand the necessity in trusting God’s plan.

Because of you, I am not made of glass, nor do I have the desire to fit my well-pedicured foot into a glass slipper, but instead, you have raised me with the desire and passion to shatter glass ceilings. I am strong because I bore witness to the strength of someone who epitomizes the very word. When my father passed away, you picked me up and you were strong for me. You soothed the sting of my grief and vulnerability and you were the first person who made me laugh after the trauma. I would not have made it without you.

Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for being my fervent, wholehearted, God-fearing, beautiful, intelligent mother. Thank you for letting me borrow your shoes and perfume and thank you for all of the times you didn’t freak out when I lost your favorite lipstick. You have helped me in ways unbeknownst to even you, and one day I will pay you back–I will give you your beach house tenfold.