To the wonderful women in my life on this Galentine’s Day, I just want to tell you how much you mean to me. I know with all our busy schedules I don’t say it enough, but you are each so special and such an important part of my life.

As much as I would like to, I can’t send you all chocolate and flowers, but today I want to send my most heartfelt wishes to some amazing women. Happy Galentine’s Day to:

My mom friends, my people: We are raising our children together from babies to teens and beyond, and I don’t know where I would be without you to walk the bumpy road of parenting with me.

RELATED: Here’s To the Mom Friends Who Show Up

My closest girlfriends who know my heart: You have journeyed with me through the hardest times and have been there for all the milestones. Thank you for giving me a place to share my deepest emotions and loving me through them.

My college friends, who have been there since I first floundered on the edge of adulthood: Thanks for knowing me like no one else does and still being here for the person I have become.

My fellow single moms, so strong and brave: Thanks for understanding things no one else gets and for always inspiring me with your courage.

To my children’s teachers, who have given them so much: Thank you for loving my kids in my place and for planting seeds of interest and curiosity that continue to guide them far into the future.

To my coworkers, both present and past: Thanks for inspiring me with your leadership and accomplishments and for being there for needed “girl talk” at work.

To my acquaintances, the women I don’t know well but whose lives intersect with mine in some way: Thanks for the pleasant chats and the noticing of each other’s stories. I know we would be there for each other if needed, even if we are not close.

To my sisters, who have been there for me our whole lives: Thanks for the endless phone calls, full of chatter or even silence, so comfortable there is no need to say a word. Thank you for being the best aunts and loving my children as your own.

To my mom, the first person who showed me what it is to be a woman: Thanks for always being willing to listen and always being on my side.

To my grandmothers, now both with the Lord: Thank you for being proud of me and for loving and praying for me always.

RELATED: “Do You Still Want the China?”

To my daughters, who I love more than life itself: You are still blossoming into maturity, but you have already shown me new beautiful ways of being a woman. I pray you will always be surrounded by loving, strong, supportive women all throughout your lives and that you will be those women to others.

To all women, thank you for all the beauty, love, and strength you bring to the world. You make me proud to be a woman.

Happy Galentine’s Day!