Dear mom,

Thanks. For everything. For allowing me to be who I am. For helping me find who I am. I know it's hard for you, my being this far away from home, but you're endless encouragement has been the best gift I could ever ask for.

You know me better than anybody else. You know when I'm sad, when I'm happy, when I'm upset; you're there for me when I need you and you're respectful when I need space. Recently I went through a struggle in a relationship that I was in. I told everybody, friends, family, that everything was okay. The only person that was able to pick up on my sadness through the facade was my mother. She somehow, without any communication, knew almost exactly what was bothering me.

I cried with her on a daily basis in the weeks leading up to college. I cried about the inevitable demise of my relationship, but also about the fact that I would be living somewhere without my mother for the first time in my life. This sentiment hadn't hit me until that moment. When it did, I finally realized just how much I'd be leaving behind.

Mom, you're the best of humanity. You're the only person who fully understands me emotionally. I love you so much. I can't even comprehend how much you love me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you've ever done for me. I can't imagine a world without you in it. It would be much less bright.

Love,
William