Dear Mom,

As I'm nearing the end of my first year of college, I can't help but look back on how our relationship has changed over the years, and how much this year has made me realize about you, and the relationship that we share.

I'm sorry that I did not appreciate you more when I lived at home. Growing up, there was nothing more lame than going places with your mom and *god forbid* being seen in public. Even worse, I would have easily considered having to stay home with the family, on a Friday or Saturday night, as a surefire way of committing social suicide. However, being away from home for a year has made me long for the simple things that I once took for granted, like running errands with you, or the nights when you would purposely cook my favorite meal for dinner. After going through a year of college, I would jump at the opportunity to stay home and watch old movies with you, rather than attend yet another frat party.

I'm sorry for all the petty arguments. While living at home, little things such as not being able to drive the car, or getting my phone taken away for the night seemed like the end of my little world at the time, but I now realize how silly these are. My being overly-dramatic caused so many fights over the years, but now, I barely remember any of the reasons why we argued, in the first place.

Thank you for supporting me. In our little community at home, having a mom that regularly told me how smart and beautiful and capable she thought I was, seemed like a normal thing that all moms did. However, after a year of meeting people from all over the country, I realize that this is not as common as I believed. Thank you for being the type of mother that made me confident in myself, and inspired me to follow my dreams, no matter what.

Finally, thank you for being my best friend. In just one year, I've met countless people who claim to be “best friends" with their parents, but wouldn't think to call them if they were upset, or if they had a minor crisis, that they needed to just talk to someone about. Thank you for always being there to listen to my problems without judgement, for being a shoulder (or this year, a phone call) to cry on, for making the trip to see me when you knew I was homesick, for giving me advice, and for just being there for me no matter what. I've met so many great friends over the years, but if this first year of college has taught me anything, it's that I will never have a better friend than my mom.

I love you,

Your Daughter