The saying is true- the older you get the more you appreciate your mom. Being 22 years old, I’ve gotten to the age where I understand why my mom has done the things she’s done for me, even if I didn’t like it at the time. I’ve grown more dependent on my mom than I ever have been. No, not dependent like I can’t take care of myself, but dependent like I don’t know what I would ever do without her. I cannot imagine my life without my mom. I don’t see her nearly as often as I would like but that’s a part of getting older.

Some people take their parents for granted. With all the hate that is going on in the world around us, I suggest nothing else than to call your mom as frequently as possible and just tell her you love her. Send her flowers on her birthday, and go home when you can to see her. Actually having a mom in your life is not something everyone can say, and if you are that lucky cherish it, it won’t stay that way forever.

Moms are there for you through thick and thin. They are there for every breakup, achievement, and stress session. I always know that if I am having a bad day I can call my mom and she will make it better. I don’t know how she does it but my mom always seem so much more logical than I am. Or, on the contrary, if I had the best day of my life I still just want to call and tell my mom everything that has happened.

Whether you want to admit it or not, there’s a good chance that your mom is your best friend. There’s nothing I cannot do or talk about with my mom. I wouldn’t say we have the closest relationship- not the Rory and Loreli type- but that doesn’t mean I love her any less. We are close in different ways. We are close in the way that I cannot love another human being the way and with the intensity I do my mom. It is a special bond, mother and daughter, and it is one that will never be broken.

To all the moms, especially my own, thank you. Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for putting me ahead of yourself for the past 22 years. Thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me to succeed in whatever I set my mind to. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. I can only hope that when the day comes when I have a little one calling me “mommy” that I will be just as strong and wonderful as you are. I could never ask for a better mom, nor would I ever want to. I love you.