To the Heart of our family

To my hero, my idol, my inspiration: thank you Mom for always loving me unconditionally. You may not realize the impact you have had and continue to have on my life. Every day I strive to live as you do, full of kindness and love, and the more I try, the more I truly appreciate everything you have done.

You have raised me with a level of love and care that only a few have ever experienced, and I would not be the person I am today without it. Your devotion goes beyond a parents love for their child, you have loved me and Ian as if we were extensions of yourself, sacrificing your own needs and living vicariously through our joys. I remind myself of this everyday, I am eternally grateful and it drives me to accomplish and experience everything for the both of us. You have given me opportunities that you never had yourself. While I often feel you are more deserving of these chances than I am, I promise to seize every opportunity with all my strength and never let them slip away, knowing you would have done the same in my position. I was born cradled in warm loving arms, growing until I could stand on my own two feet — and now, I stand on the shoulders of a Filipina giant.

I won the lottery with you as my Mom, and you have given me the grand prize of the World and more. Although I don't have much money now, being with you makes me feel like a millionaire. I only hope you realize the positive impact you have had on so many people — the 30 cakes you get every year for your birthday is a testament to that. If life was a Quidditch match, you would be the golden snitch and I won the game the moment I was born.

Not a day goes by where I don't think of our family, and although I do not express it often, I carry you guys in my heart so we can all experience the things that I know you wanted to have for yourself. The thought of that feels like you are all at my back, pushing me to go further every single day. I love you more than words can describe and on behalf of the whole family, thank you for everything.