The words "thank you" will never be good enough to express my gratitude for all that you have done for me.

All my life, you have fulfilled the roles of both mother and father. We've had our girl nights consisting of cookie dough, pizza, and chick flicks, many nail salon dates, and countless nights where you comfort me and hold me while I cry about stupid boys. But there have also been plenty of times where you've had to bring out your tool kit and fix something around the house, kill the big bugs for me that I'm afraid of, or fix a leaky faucet. It's not really fair that you've had to fill both of these roles, but you've never once complained to me about it.

You are always willing to do whatever it takes for me to follow my dreams, whether that's picking up a second job or letting me shop for new clothes and school supplies while you've had the same clothes for years. Your constant smile and faith throughout all the adversity we've faced throughout my life is the most inspiring constant I have. Somehow, you truly do it all.

I know it breaks your heart that there's no one to scare the daylights out of any boy I bring home, and it saddened you when I didn't have a daddy to take me to those father-daughter dances and no one to invite to my sorority's Dad's day. But those are the cards we were dealt and you have embraced this life so graciously.

Thank you for being such an example to me. You have raised me to be an independent and responsible young woman who realizes that I don't need a man to be whole. Of course, it is nice to have someone to come home to and love, but you've shown me that I can survive and thrive on my own. You always say that it takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes I really don't think you give yourself enough credit for all that you've done for me. I want for nothing because of your hard work. You try your hardest to never have to tell me no when I tell you about a new dream of mine, whether it be attending my dream college or wanting to do (multiple) study abroad trips. You have shown me that anything is possible if you work hard enough and pray hard enough.

In addition to all of that, your faith has never been shaken. So many unfair things have happened to you, but you have always trusted that it's a part of God's plan. When times get tough, you never fail to sit me down and pray with me, or to find scripture to comfort my heart.

So on this day where everyone else is celebrating their wonderful fathers, I just want to say thank you to all of the single moms out there who fulfill both roles. You're the mom and the dad. Your sacrifices for your kids do not go unnoticed or forgotten about. Thank you so much for all that you do and for staying strong and showing us that anything is possible. Your love is shown in your devotion to loving your kids fully and helping them to reach their full potential all by yourself. Y'all truly go the extra mile, and this day is for you, too.

I'm so glad you're my mother (and father).