I love my mom. Always have, always will. It seems silly to have to say, but I think this amazing woman deserves some well-earned recognition.
My mom and I have always had a great relationship. I still went through my bratty teenager phase, which led me to believe that all the rules she put in place were to be my downfall. Yes, I still think she was a little too strict at times, but how she and my dad raised me has made me into the person I am today.
It didn't really hit me until a year or two into college that I truly still needed her constant guidance and support. There would be times when all I wanted to do was take the hour-long drive back home so I could be with her.
Through all the stress, tears, and joys of being away at college, my mom has been my rock. I know I can come to her with anything, and get nothing but love and encouragement in return.
Maybe the time spent away from home, discovering who I am as a semi-functioning adult, allowed for me to understand just how much appreciation my mother deserves.
Being a mother has to be one of the most selfless and loving things a person can be. Growing up, my mom did everything she possibly could to make sure my brother and I had all that we needed.
Even though I have made a new home for myself in Moorhead, the home my family created will always be where my heart is.
As I approach the end of my days in school, I am reflecting more on what the future will have in store for my relationship with my mom. I know I will be moving pretty far away, and I know it will be very difficult to be away from my family and loved ones for so long.
However, I also know it will make spending the time I do have with my mom even better. I am always so excited to get to hug my mom and talk to her face-to-face, even if it's only been a week since I last saw her.
I know I should really call her more often, and I could list every lame excuse there is. She would definitely agree to this, too; whenever it's been more than a few days without us speaking, she'll call me and say, "Oh, just checking to see if your phone still works!" It's not hard to see where I get my sassiness from.
As the holiday season approaches, I get more and more excited to be in the kitchen baking Christmas cookies with mom. I already know she would rather listen to Def Leppard than to Christmas music, but I think we can form a compromise.
No matter what happens in the next few years, I know I will always have my mom to fall back on. There is probably nothing in this world I could ever do that can show my mom just how much she means to me, but I hope this is a start.
Thank you, mom, for everything.
