First off, I would like to thank my mom for all that she has done throughout the entirety of my existence. She has been there for me through thick and thin. My mom always stands by my side no matter what the circumstances are, and her decisions, whether I like to believe it or not, are in my best interest. Yes, like any other mother and daughter relationship, we fight over the most ridiculous things. We yell at each other and sometimes want to throw pies in each others faces (occasionally). However, at the end of the day, I wouldn't replace my mother, for anything and the countless hours, days, weeks, months and almost 20 years she has taken out of her own life, in order to see me happy and successful.

She taught me how to advocate for myself if I want something in my life that badly.

Because of my mom, I have made sufficient changes within my life that have caused me to be able to take upon opportunities that I wouldn't have been granted if I never was able to speak for myself. She has always told me, especially as I am now in the midsts of my college years, that if I have a problem going on or need help, whether it be academic or social, there are always people to go to, I just have to do the research for myself. Although this gets totally annoying as I would love her to do all the hard work for me, it truly has paid off in the end, as she is in a sense preparing me to one day be a strong mother, and not only that, a leader.

She has taught me which people are necessary to take into my life and care about, and which ones I should leave in the past as mere memories.

Sadly, I can say that I have experienced hardships whether they pertain to friendships in regards to my girl and guy friends, as well as messy breakups with my ex-boyfriends. My mother has taught me that if someone puts you down, is condescending and doesn't realize your self-worth, well, then they certainly aren't worth being a part of my life. My mother has opened up to me about her own experiences and thus I have learned from hers as well as her brutally honest advice on my experiences how to seek out the right people. So, thank you, mom for placing me at a university where I have made an immense amount of friends that are genuine, care about me, and for that, I will cherish for the rest of my life.

My mother has taught me how to look hot, believe it or not!

Living with a vegan mother does in fact have its perks (except for when you are at college and basically living off of M&M's and chocolate chip pancakes from the cafeteria) My mother, taking a variety of nutrition classes, having a job working at a gym and being a Pilates instructor for a little while, has shown me the ropes. I love receiving packages of kale chips and chia seeds; no really, I'm not kidding.

Thanks to my mother, I not only know my food groups, but this woman has literally taught me about almost every vitamin in the foods I eat. Even if they are the most random or exotic fruits from the other side of the country, my mother somehow knows what is healthy versus what is not.

Because I have lived with a mother who in her early 50's and has six-pack abs, I know what routines to do at the gym as well as what machines work which muscles...thanks Ma! And yes, that is my mother in the picture.... ow ow!

She has taught me how to love myself beyond other people's words.

My mom always asks me how would I expect anyone else to like me if I don't even like myself? Although I have many flaws, and unfortunately I struggle with a lot in life, my mother always shows the glass half full.

One of her favorite things to do is compliment me, which boosts my self-esteem by an immense amount. Yeah, it's nice to hear from the hot guy on the lacrosse team that he thinks you're sexy, but it's even better to hear from your own mom that you have "become a young lady that she is so very proud of." My mother has pointed out and has a grocery list of all the things she can find that she loves about me as her daughter. Most importantly, she has taught me to accept compliments from others, but to as well realize what they're talking about is true.

My mother has taught and shown me what a best friend is.

Mom, there are many people in life who I have over time called my "best friends." But really, you are my best friend. You have seen me at my worst and my very best. You have sat there and cried along with me whether they were happy tears when I was accepted into my first choice university or sad tears over the devastating heartbreak of an ex-boyfriend.

You have taken me with you all around the globe, to explore the world and see new things.You are the first person on my mind when I wake up and the last person on my mind to call right before I go to sleep. You are there to vent to if I need to speak to you about anyone or anything. You are the least judgmental person I know as well as the most caring. And last but not least, I can easily say that you, Daddy and of course Sari, are the only people in my life who have stayed by my side for almost 20 years now. I love you mom, never change. Xoxo- mini you