Throughout my lifetime, I have met thousands of people. There are the people that you meet once. There are the people that you have grown up with and you went to school with. There are the people that you enjoy hanging out with. There are the people that you get to see on a weekly or even a daily basis. Then, there are people who inspire you. There are people who are so inspiring that you wish you understood how they do half of what they do.

I am going to focus on one individual for this piece. This particular person is someone that I have known for my entire life. I have had a lot of experience being around this person and seeing how she carries herself. Which is, almost entirely, with pride and confidence. I have watched her speak in front of hundreds of people and she made it seem like it was nothing. I have seen her grow as a leader. I've watched her climb the ranks at her job. I have watched her interact with people that are not as loving as herself. I have seen her handle a bad situation with so much faith, that I never even questioned what the outcome would be. I have seen her love for her family. I have seen how well she balances her friendships. I witnessed her make others feel beautiful with her actions and words. I have seen her bring out the goodness in others and her faith shines through with her actions. I have learned more from her than any amount of schooling could ever teach me. She raised two children, who believe me, were both full of personality. She is someone who I've never doubted. She is someone that I owe a big thank you to. She is a strong, loving, caring, motivational, inspiring, and a God-loving woman. She is funny and witty. She can make me smile with just one look or silly-face. Her laugh is contagious. She is someone who can conquer anything that is put in front of her, and she is going to do it with grace. She is someone that I wish everyone had the opportunity to meet. Although, whenever I'm with her, there is always someone else around that knows her too. She is the kind of person that you just want to be around.

I'm sure by now, you all know who I am talking about. She is the first person that I ever met. She is one of the only people that I know who will unconditionally love me for the rest of my life. No matter how stubborn I can be! She is half of the team that raised me. I am half of who she is. Sometimes it scares me how much I act like her. I wouldn't want to have it any other way.

Mom. Thank you for everything you do. You are my hero.