TO MY CHEERLEADER: MAMA LENE

Dear Mama,

As I grow up, time begins to fly by faster and faster, and I often get too caught up in everything to realize how much has changed.

I really need to thank you, Ma. Thank you for doing all of the little things. For letting my friends sleep over every single time I asked, for reading my favorite books to me when I was little over and over again until I knew each one by heart, and then going along with it when I pretended I could actually read them myself. Thank you for coming to all of my competitions, performances and awards ceremonies and being the most proud parent there. Thank you for helping me with my homework and making me dinner and cleaning my room, and I could go on and on about all of these things, but you have done so much more for me that I am beyond grateful for. You understand me better than anyone else, and you have always been there to listen to me complain or hold me when I didn't even know why I was crying. You have been the most incredible role model; you handle every situation, big or small, with such strength, courage, and selflessness. I have been so blessed to have a person like you in my life to look up to. There is no better compliment than when someone tells me I look like you or act like you, or even when someone mistakes me for you on the phone. They say that girls become like their mothers when they grow up, and I can only hope that that will be true for me. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

I also need to tell you that I love you. I try to say it as often as I can, but I feel like even that will never be enough. It is difficult for me to put into words just how much you mean to me, because you are absolutely everything to me: my support, my friend, my sense of humor, my voice of reason. Above all of these things, you are my mom, in the most perfect sense of the word. You have never failed to make me feel loved, and that is something that I will never take for granted. Even at my worst moments, you have loved me unconditionally.You have taught me how to put my entire heart into everything and everyone, just as you have always done for me. Just please know that I love you more, even if you do love me most.

Lastly, Mom, I want to tell you that I'm sorry. I am so sorry for all of the times that I picked fights with you for no reason or was embarrassed by you. I'm sorry for shutting you out when all you wanted to do was help. I'm sorry for any time I have disobeyed or disappointed you. Most importantly, I am sorry for all of the times I chose my friends or anything else over you. You have put me first for your entire life, and I only wish that I would have done the same for you all of those times. I would give anything to go back and spend more of that time with you, because you really are the best person in my life. Please know that I love you more than anything, and I am so sorry for any time I may have hurt you.

Mom, you have been with me through absolutely everything, and have done so with a smile always on your face. Thank you so much for the love, laughs and lessons you have given me over the past 22 years. I can only hope that there will be many more to come. I love you!