Dear Mom,

Thank you for everything you have sacrificed in order to provide for Stevie and me.

Although you may think these things go unnoticed, we are forever thankful.

You have made it your goal as my mom to push me and for that I appreciate you.

One of the biggest lessons you have taught me is to never give up, even if things do get tough.

You always see more potential in me than I do in myself, so you have used that to encourage me to always try harder.

You’ve always told me to set my goals high and do whatever it takes to accomplish them.

Throughout your life you have faced many circumstances that have put you in difficult situations, but you have used that to make you a stronger individual.

Instead of sitting and focusing on a negative perspective, you have the ability to take any scenario that’s in front of you and twist it and look for the positive side of it.

That is a skill I hope to acquire one day, and I hope to follow in your footsteps.

You have always had a selfless outlook on the world, prioritizing others before yourself — even if that meant you had to wait for something you may have wanted.

Thank you for always being honest and understanding with me, even if it means telling me something I do not want to hear.

You’ve never been one to get upset when I mess up; you’ve told me everyone makes mistakes and to learn from it.

You’ve seen me at my worst, and you’ve seen me at my best. You know when I’m secretly upset about something, when I’m excited and I’m trying to hide it, and when I’m near a breakdown.

I’m thankful that you’re able to read me so easily and that you understand me.

You push me to be the best possible version of myself and you encourage me to go out and try new things, because there is nothing to lose.

On my worst days you have the ability to make me laugh and smile, even when I don’t want to.

I’m glad we get to spend so much time together. There is nobody else I’d rather binge-watch movies with while eating popcorn.

Thank you for everything you do and, most importantly, thank you for never giving up on me.

Love,

Your favorite child.