Dear Mama;

You are honestly the most beautiful person in this World I have ever come to know and love. To think that only fifteen n' a half years ago, I was growing inside of you. I was becoming who I am now. My genetic code was already made; I was made to have freckles like you, blue eyes like you, your sarcasm. The person I am now was semi set in stone. You just had to wait for me to come out and show you who I am. You raised me the best way imaginable, and taught me how to love. You still write notes on my napkins for lunch, you tell me I'm special when I feel like I'm the farthest from it. I don't understand how you managed to raise me so well. But, like you've said, I won't understand how much a parent loves their child until I'm a parent myself. I know I can say it's as much as a child loves their parent, though. You're the type of mom who does everything humanly possible to keep her children safe and happy. That's why I refer to you as my Mama Bear. You protect four children, work, you're an amazing wife, you clean after the younger three when they leave their dishes out. You remind us everyday that you love us more than the World could ever comprehend. Hell, you're so great of a mom that you're a second mom to half of my friends. Everybody tells me how great of a mom I have, and they couldn't be more right. I wouldn't trade you for a Klondike Bar, or anything else. I can't imagine my life without you, because it's not possible. I don't tell you enough how much I love you and how thankful I am for you. Really, mom. You're beautiful, even without your makeup, and your hair pulled back into a ponytail. That's when I think you look prettiest. When I look over at you in the car, that's what I'm thinking. I'm sorry I don't tell you how much I appreciate you as much as I think it. Thank you for dancing in the car; Even if I hide my face from everyone in the surrounding cars. Thank you for being so protective over me when I want to go to stupid parties; Even if I get upset at first. Thank you for listening to me talk about my future plans; Even when it hurts to think I'm moving out after another two years. Thank you for playing RockBand; Even if I say that you're a nerd for it. Thank you for giving me the best advice anyone could ever give me on every hurdle that life throws at me. Thank you for letting me cry into your shoulder so many times, and for holding my hand when I'm at my lowest. I wish I could explain to you in words how much you mean to me and how big of an impact you have made on my life, but there are no words suitable enough. All I can do is show to you throughout the rest of my life with actions how much I love you. & it probably still won't be enough. You're my best friend, Lorrie Anne. Going on sixteen years. <3