Mom, there are so many things that I wouldn't be without you. You are more than my mom—you are my best friend and my person, and without you I would be more than lost. You bring endless love and laughter into my life every day. The more I grow older I am growing closer to you but I see so much of you in me and I am so proud to see that.

Not only have you been the most perfect mom in the world, but you have shown me how to stay strong through life's scariest moments. No matter what life throws at me at this point in my life I know I can handle it. Not only because you will be by my side but because you have shown me how to be brave on my own. Every stupid mistake I have made and will continue to make you support me by showing me how to correct my wrongs and praising my good instincts and actions. There is not a day that goes by where I don't think to myself that I am so grateful that you are my mother. That I get to wake up and walk downstairs and give you a hug. Your hugs are the best. The simplest things about you is what makes me love you the most. Like your goofy voices/noises, your much needed witty personality and your optimism. I am so lucky to have such positivity in my life you are always giving people the benefit of the doubt and you see a silver lining in every negative situation.

I know when I was younger I sure gave you a run for your money. Like my constantly messy room, crying and yelling at you because I didn't like the way you did my hair or dressed me that day or telling you I "hated" you when a friend wasn't allowed to spend the night. We laugh at those times now but I bet you would've loved to just give in and make me stop crying or to not show me discipline. I thank you for saying "no" at those times, Growing up and maturing I see why now every "no" makes so much sense. You have guided me onto the right path, there were times where I couldn't stand you for it but now I love you more than anything for it because I have found myself and my way through foggy times because of your love and your guidance.

You have made me open my eyes and realize how lucky we are as a family and to not take anything for granted. It is the littlest things about you that has been the biggest impact on me as a person today. There is so much more that I will continue to learn from you and I will always be so thankful to be with you in those big moments with you by my side teaching me so many things. I may act independent now and sometimes it may seem like I have almost fully matured into my young adult self and got it all figured out on my own but honestly most of the time I still want to call you Mommy, snuggle up on the couch with you and have you hold me and let me know that everything is going to be all right and that no matter what you are there for me unconditionally. Because I am the luckiest girl in the world to be able to call you my mom. So thank you, Mom, I will love you endlessly.

Love, Emma