We hear it all the time, "I'm your mother, not your friend." Or, mom shamers that rag on other moms for being too much of a friend to their children. They say, "Kids need structure and discipline, their parents can't be their friends." I'm here to tell you those people are wrong.

My mom has been my best friend since I entered high school. I cannot thank her enough for ignoring those who told her not to treat me as a friend. My mother being my best friend has been the greatest gift I could ever receive. This doesn't mean I didn't have rules growing up or had free reign to act like a fool. This means that, as I was coming into my own and figuring out who I was, I had my mother as a confidant; someone to give me sound advice with nothing but my best interests at heart.

Now, let's raise a glass to the "friend mom" for all of the following reasons:

1. You can go to her for literally anything

From boys to how you're actually doing in classes, you can tell her and she won't judge. She's there to offer advice and be honest with you. She'll tell you if your dress is too short or if you've put on a couple pounds. You can even cry to her when your jeans from freshman year of high school don't fit anymore (why I would cry over this, I will never know). You name it, you can talk to her about it.

P.S. This doesn't mean she's letting you off the hook for a D+ in your math class, but she will at least tell you she's been there and you'll get through it.

2. You learn how respect works in the real world

I came into this world knowing that I owed my mother respect. But, she gave me something back that really taught me how the real world works. I'm honest with her. She doesn't go snooping around and trusts my judgement. I told her what time I would be coming home and I made sure I stuck to that. She stopped setting a curfew once I graduated high school. My mother taught me that respect is earned not given, and she did so by going out of her way to earn my respect.

3. You can truly be yourself

I don't have to watch what I say or pretend to be something I'm not around my mother. She knows I'm human. She knows I make mistakes and she loves me just the same, if not more because of it. I can tell her all of my embarrassing stories and she's just there to laugh with me. What's even better is that she can be herself around me, too. I've learned she isn't perfect; she's done stupid things, but she's still successful and that lets me know I can be, too.

4. Everything is fun when you're together

My mom and I can make a grocery trip a good time. From Wegmans trips on Sundays to running errands, we can joke, dance in the car, sing at the top of our lungs, and have the time of our lives. No matter where we go together, we're laughing, having a good time, and enjoying every minute together, just like friends would.

5. The texts you send each other

"Can you pick up a bottle of wine on your way home (maybe two)?" to "Mom, I'm dropping out of college."

If she wasn't saved in my phone as "Momma" you'd probably think I was talking to one of my best friends from college. She sends me funny pictures or vents about her day and I can whine about my homework or having to work late. Honestly, just the pure fact that I spend a good chunk of my day texting her just to stay in touch is part of what is so great about having a "friend" mom.

6. Two Words: Wine. Nights.

Hands down my mom is one of my favorite people to watch a movie and share a bottle of wine with. Not because my social life is boring, but because we can watch a raunchy comedy and laugh hysterically, even if it is a little inappropriate. Having a "friend" mom to sit at home and drink with eliminates the need for a designated driver, and probably countless other things that could go wrong if I was out drinking on the town.

7. Two Closets

My mom and I have been sharing clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories since I could finally wear adult clothes. Being able to run down the hall and raid her closet comes in handy, especially when I need to dress professionally. She's always got a necklace or earrings that go with my outfit and she rarely ever says I can't borrow her stuff.

8. She taught me what to look for in a friend

By being my best friend and modeling what a true friend is, my mom taught me what to look for in a friend. She's funny, she's smart, she's kind, patient, trustworthy and so much more. By being all of these things for me, she taught me who to befriend.

9. There are actually rules

Just because my mom is more of my friend than anything else doesn't mean there aren't any rules. In fact, there are probably more rules since she has such high expectations for me. I am much more inclined to respect and follow her rules because she is like a friend to me. I wouldn't want to be rude or disrespectful to a friend and I certainly don't want to do that to my mother. I respect her guidance and her wishes for me, and I know that everything she does is out of love.

I love my mom and all she's given me by treating me as a friend. I can't imagine seeing her as anything less. My life has been so positively impacted by having a friend mom. If you're lucky enough to have a friend mom, respect her because what she's doing isn't easy and society has taught her she's wrong for treating you this way. If you don't have a friend mom, start treating your mom like a friend. Respect her guidance, go to her for advice, be an open book with her.

Cheers to you mom, my best friend.