To all of my girlfriends, my family–my mom, thank you ladies for making the world a better place. You empower others simply by being your authentic self. We all only have one life, and I am so proud seeing those close to me making the most of it.

WE ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

Women have a long way to go, but we will continue to strive for equality and to come out on top. To those who have come before us and paved the way, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To the ladies that bring other females up instead of bringing them down, I thank you. To those who reach out a helping hand to strangers, I thank you. To the ladies that doubt themselves, I thank you–your anxiety is a reminder that we are all in this together and that together we will overcome and excel at the journey of life.

Most importantly, I thank my mother. For the great lessons she continues to instil in me. For being perpetually hopeful and kind. For being my best friend and my muse. For being the person that makes everything in my world right. Thank you for being my hero. The fact that you exist in this world reassures me, the future is bright, that life will work out exactly as it is meant to. That sometimes the obstacles we face are predestined, they enter our lives to shape us into the people we are meant to be. Thank you for being beside me through every obstacle. I love and appreciate you more than I could ever express.

The world has changed so much. I am now at the age my mother was when she had two small children. I can barely master looking after myself! Yet, she was able to take care of a home, children and a marriage. She is my hero. Even more so now. Relating to the struggles she has faced, and thinking wow–I wouldn’t have managed. She did. She not only managed, she excelled. She overcame everything with flying colours. Always with a smile, and putting everyone else first.

That is my mother. Selfless. Wise. Intelligent. Honest. Kind. Loving. The true definition of a strong woman.

One that I someday hope to be just like.