My mom named me herself. She didn't realize at the time how much meaning my name has, she just knew that when she saw me my name would be Victoria Brianna DeLeon. The full meaning of my name is Victorious, Strong Lion; she didn’t realize the meaning, she just knew it was perfect. My mom and I had a special relationship. She was my mother but also my best friend. I'm sure a lot of people have that connection with their mothers but ours was different. We were one and the same. A lot of the times people would mistake us as sisters. Mom would let it slide because it would remind her of how young she was. Mom had me when she was 18 and from that moment on, she kept me safe and did everything in her power for me. She would go out of her way for me. I'm her only baby, so of course, she would fight anyone that would hurt me. She was so tough, and so strong. I could talk to her about anything; I was her goofy little weirdo that she loved dearly. We did bump heads a lot because of how stubborn we are, but we would get over it quickly and just watch reruns of Friends or Law and Order SVU. Whenever she dropped me off at school, we would spend the whole car ride singing loudly, probably off key, but we didn't care.
My mom worked hard raising me as a teenage mother, working and going to school at the same time. She never gave up, always telling me to never do what she did and finish school. I took it to heart. She finished high school, and college where she graduated with her Bachelors and then her Master’s, all while raising me with my dad and working full time. She was the ultimate super mom. When she got sick, I stepped in. I did everything in my power to take care of her like she did for me. The day of her passing still haunts my thoughts, but I know I did all I could to take care of her until her last breath. I know for a fact she is with me right now and will guide me as my guardian angel in life. She will be there when I graduate at my university; she will be there when I start living on my own; she will be there for me when I eventually walk down the aisle at my wedding. She's with me in spirit and I am relieved she's no longer in pain and suffering. My mother is the heart that keeps me alive. Thank you for having me, mom. I love you and miss you.

-Vicki