Before college, my mom was simply just that. A mom.

She was my mentor throughout my whole life until I came to college. My mom is my favorite person, and leaving her to go to college 5 hours away was MISERABLE. I went from seeing her every day to face timing her maybe twice a week if I had time.

We did everything together, and I have learned so much from her. She has taught me how to be a perfect lady, while also how to have fun and not care what people think of you. We've been through some rough fights, though. If it wasn't for my mom, I would not be who I am today.

I have seen the struggles she has gone through, and I hope I was there for her like she's been for me. I've seen my friends relationships with their moms, and I am so thankful that I have a mom who will always be there for me. Now that I am officially an adult and a college student, I am completely on my own. Here are 6 reasons my mom is my best friend in college:

1. She listens to ALL my rants

Usually, I have something to rant about every day to her whether it's about the girl who cut me in the chick fil a line and made me late for class or the boy who asked me on a date. Don’t get me wrong, I love telling my best friends about my problems, but I know they get tired of hearing the same thing every day. My mom, however, will always be there to hear me and she will never get tired of hearing me rant (or at least she wont tell me).

2. She's my biggest supporter

Every time I get a grade back from a test, I tell my mom. The first thing she always replies with it something like “Good job!!! (Insert a bunch of happy emojis)”.

She never fails to tell me how proud I have made her, and that is honestly the only motivation I have to do well in school. I never want to let my mom down, and for that I will always try my best. I was always compared to my older brother constantly throughout high school and even now in college. All of my brother’s friends will say something like “why aren’t you as smart as your brother?” and “the smart genes must have skipped right over you.”

It drives me crazy.

The only person who has never compared me to my brother is my mom. I could literally make the worst grade possible on a test and she will still encourage me somehow and remind me it is not the end of the world.

3. She goes to frat parties with me

Y’all I can't even make this up if I wanted to—you read it right. My mom came down a few weeks ago to visit me and I wanted to do something fun with her. Of course, I couldn’t get into the bars being underaged and the only other thing we could do was go to the frats. So we did, and it was the best night of my life.

As old as she is (sorry mom), she looks pretty young. They actually tried to card her before we went in, like if that doesn’t make you feel good about yourself at that age I don’t know what will. Sharing my college experiences with my mom is something I will never forget. She had her time raising me and being my mom, and now it’s okay for her to be my friend. Maybe not at the frats, but it holds for a great memory.

4. We laugh together more than we talk to each other

I never have spent so much time laughing with someone than I do my mom. Even from so far away, she will send me hilarious texts or tag me in a funny video on Facebook. I hate to admit it, but I am my mother’s daughter. The things I find funny, she finds just as funny. Even being this far away from her, she still makes me laugh.

5. She helps me decide what I want to eat when I can't make a decision, even 5 hours away

I cannot tell you how many times I can't decide what I want to eat for lunch or dinner. I am just a very indecisive person. Usually back at home, I would always make my mom chose where we ate. Well here, I am completely on my own. I am the worst when it comes to making decisions. So yes, I call my mom when I cannot pick and she will list all the places I have here and stay on the phone with me until I get food from somewhere. More than half the time she I am happy with what I end up eating. Thanks mom.

6. She raised me, but sometimes I think I raised her

My mom has always been there for me. She has been a great mother, even when she sometimes doubts herself. She used to help me with my homework and do my hair for me and even help me pick out an outfit. She always makes sure I am as happy as I can be and reminds me to be a better person everyday. She raised me with a big heart, and thankfully I have the same heart she does.

My mom recently went back to school, and the least I could do for her was help her get the degree she wanted. So I sat down with her and helped her when she needed it, and now my mom is a pharmacy tech (I am so proud of you). She shares what she wants to about any guy she goes on a date with, and I don’t fail to remind her that she is worth the world and deserves the best.

She always told me ever since she was young, she wanted a little girl of her own so badly. Well, she got me. I know she has been through plenty of struggles raising me and my brother, and I would like to think we have changed her into a better person (not that she wasn’t already great).

I am so thankful that I have such a caring mom and I would not want anyone else to become my best friend in college. From living with her to living it up with her, I have been so blessed. Thank you, Mom, for everything you have sacrificed for me and I hope one day I can return the favor. My mom didn’t become my best friend until she finished her job raising me, and I would not want anyone else to be my best friend in college.