I have always been the type of person that can count my BFF's on one hand. I purposely avoid surrounding myself with a large group of people for the simple fact that I often feel easily disconnected to the people around me. My friendship style could be summed up by saying that I maintain smaller, more intimate relationships, with those I feel are my true friends. I like to hang out with a small group of people, but also to be able to go do something with just one person from our group and have it not be awkward or uncomfortable. Having found some of my best friends in college, this friendship experience is new to me.

My college friend group always calls me the “mom”. Someone they can ask for a snack because they know I always have one in my purse. Someone they can cry with because they know I will cry with them. Someone they can tell their biggest, most exciting news to, because I know how hard they worked to get there, and we will celebrate together. Someone whose bed they can take a nap in after a long day because they feel comfortable enough to do so. Being labeled the friend group “mom” comes with a huge responsibility, whether my friends realize it or not.

Sometimes it causes pressure to be put on us "moms" to always do the right thing and to have our lives together at such a young age. I struggle and try to find my place in this world just like everyone else, but to my friends, I seemingly have everything going for me. I am a role model, displaying certain qualities that they want to see in themselves. I am a coach, cheering them on from the sidelines. I am their favorite blanket, which can shelter them when they need strength. I am a fighter, with a “don’t mess with my little girl” attitude. I am a compass, guiding them to the most fruitful path. What my friends are not realizing; however, is they have all of those beautiful qualities within them, too. They are every single one of those things to me, and so much more. I have quickly found that it is my duty as the “mom” to bring that out in them.

Showing these girls what I can so easily see in them has been one of my most favorite challenges thus far. It is hard to love yourself at any age, but as college students, we are consistently going through so many life changing experiences. Always feeling like we are not good enough, smart enough, tough enough -- and sometimes even just being enough seems out of reach. The bottom line is, we do not have to be “perfect” right now, or even ever, but feelings of validation, love, sincerity, and friendship can help us pull through these next few years and beyond. Be that person for someone else if you can; if you can’t, try being that for yourself. I would not want to be called anything else but “Mom”.