Sure it's true that moms are the ultimate teachers. We learn everything from them—how to braid our hair, how to tie our shoes, and that black and navy blue will just never go together. But here's to the things they don't teach us, the lessons we never learned.

Thanks mom, for never teaching me…

…to be afraid of anything

…to be dependent on someone else

…to be selfish and inconsiderate

…to be ashamed

…to sit quietly in the corner

…to be indecisive

…to put my dreams in second place

…to be afraid to ask for help

…to be ordinary

…to be embarrassed to sing (even though my voice could break glass)

…to be a follower

…to put my needs before others

…to be indifferent and unconcerned with the world around me

…to lose faith

…to hide my imperfections

…to be afraid of love, even when it breaks my heart over and over

…to allow someone else to make me feel small

…to talk and never listen

…to blame someone else for my failures

…to be on time

Thanks again mom, love you always.