As I've grown older I've learned so much from you. Mainly that you were the one that brought me into this world and you wouldn't hesitate to take me back out. Just kidding, but not really. I know that since college has started my time spent with the family has gotten shorter. I'm either working, studying, or catching up on Netflix crime shows. I do apologize for that. There is nothing I look forward to more then coming to visit and eating all your wonderful food. So I'll start from the beginning, the very beginning.

When I was a little chubby 4-year-old girl you threw me into something that turned out to be my first love. I can remember walking into my first basketball camp and not knowing a single person, it seemed like everyone else had their friends and I was just lost. It didn't take me long to realize that all I had to do is look over to the sidelines and there you were, every time, smiling and cheering me on. I'm lucky to say that trend never stopped.

Soon enough it seemed like I was in middle school in no time. It went from school ball to travel ball and the occasional sports in between. You took on the challenge of becoming my coach. I didn't make it easy on you and you did the same for me. You taught me more than just basketball during those years and I could never forget. I started to learn how to be a leader, how to take control of my own attitude. While I knew I was never going to be half the player you were I liked to dream I could one day. I don't think there was another person who had more confidence in me than you did. You invested so much time and money into my athletic career and that always meant so much to me.

While you and I will always have the connection from sports and athletics, there is more to our relationship than that. There isn't one person on this planet that knows me better than you do. From the second I would walk into the door you're the first person I would tell about my day. I would ask for advise day in and day out and you never told me no. You listened everyday and never let me down. I want you to know that all of that has stayed with me. I have even used some of your advise to help my sisters and my friends.

Everything that you've done for me hasn't gone unnoticed. I know that times are different now, but I will always be your chubby little 4 year old basketball player. She looked up to you from day one and still does everyday. Keep being the best you because it doesn't get better than that.