Throughout my childhood, I frequently heard people saying "your mom is not here to be your friend," and I honestly could not relate. As humans, we all have basic needs for survival: food, water, and shelter. However, I think that there is often a basic need that is overlooked: a friend. Honestly, who actually thinks that you could survive this life without a real friend? What is better than a friend who has been there for you since day one, knows you better than you know yourself, and loves you more than they love themselves? If your mom is your best friend, you could probably rattle off reasons all day long, and here are the ones that stand out the most:

1. You pick out each other's outfits.

Remember the days in first grade when she let you pick out your own outfits to wear to school? Well, those days are over. You love shopping together, and when you aren't shopping together in person, you are shopping while she is on speaker phone and looking online for you. You trust each other's opinions when it comes to fashion. Well, she trusts your opinion and you trust her to be honest with you about whether or not something is actually flattering on you. You two make sure neither of you leaves the house wearing the wrong shade of pink.

2. You have similar habits.

People call you twins. The phrase, "Oh! You look just like your mom" will never get old.

3. She has always supported you.

She has always, and always will, support you. The key word here is "you." Even if she doesn't support some of the decisions you have made throughout your life, she has supported you as a person. She has made it known to you that you will never be alone.

4. Even though you showed her how to use *insert a certain type of technology* yesterday, you always show her again.

You can't even count the number of times you've got a text or phone call saying: "my bitmoji disappeared! How do I get it back?" or "how do I send out a tweet again?" or "can you help me update my Facebook picture?" Even though you would get tired of repeating yourself to anyone else, you help her every time with a laugh. How could you not? Every time you get impatient she reminds you that she taught you how to walk and changed your stinky diapers. Ha.

5. She always answers your calls/texts.

There are some things that you know for sure in this life, and one of them is that you need your mom. Sometimes it's just a phone call to check in on things, get advice or reassurance, or even vent after a stressful day. Other times, it's the third time you've called her in a matter of thirty minutes while trying to cook dinner by yourself at your first apartment. Either way, she answers the phone. Every. Single. Time.

6. She tells you what you need to hear, even if it isn't what you want to hear.

You can't even count a number of times she has told you that friend wasn't right for you, or that you need to let certain situations that are out of your control go because what is meant to be, will be. You also can't count a number of times she turned out to be right...about everything, actually.

7. She makes home feel like home.

The saying "home is where your mom is" proved to be true as soon as you moved out.

8. When you need your mama, she makes it happen.

Whether it's a phone call, an emergency meeting, or just hang out time. If you need her, she is there. Every. Single. Time.

9. She knows something is bothering you even before you tell her.

She can tell that you and your boyfriend broke up or that you had a falling out with a friend even before you tell her. You're not sure how you feel about this one, but she never says "I told you so."

10. When something major happens in your life, one of your first thoughts is: "I have to tell my mom."

Who am I kidding? You think this even when it is something very minor.

11. On weekends your texts consist of pictures of you and your friends with a caption "wish you were here!".

12. You don't know how to respond to people who say they aren't close with their mom.

You always offer your mom up as emotional support if they ever need her, followed by: "she's like my best friend."

13. You are each others' personal photographers.

You two know each others' good angles and she doesn't even get offended when you say, "mom! You're doing that thing with your head again, try to act normal! Smile!"

14. You two have always talked about guys together.

She always updates you when she sees someone who is "perfect for you."

15. She doesn't try to be a "cool mom."

Nope. Her amazing efforts are because that's the person she is. She has never tried to fit in or be "hip." In fact, if you ask her, she thinks she is very un-cool. She is just genuinely the best person you know, the best friend you've ever had, and the one person you could spend all of your time with.

16. She stands up for you.

When someone offends her, they offend you. Vice versa.

17. She has always been there.

Since day one.

You don't know what this life will throw you or where it will take you. But you do know that no matter what, your mom will be by your side. No matter what decisions you make, no matter how many times you mess up, you know that she supports you. You can't think of a better friend than the one you've always had: your mom.