Dear Mom,

It hasn't been too long since I left home to achieve a higher education—and by too long, I mean three and a half years. Living thousands of miles away from you hasn't been the easiest thing but has certainly been the most life-changing. I got to fly to Europe on my own when I was 19, do adulting stuff like getting paid for the first time and filing my taxes. I have given you a smile each and every time I accomplish something. But I never told you the many weeping moments when I fell flat on my face. I never told you the countless rejections I received prior to getting that offer. I only told you that I worked as hard as I could to get what I wanted.

Remember when you gave me the marriage talk? You told me that you would support me in whatever decision I choose to make, whether it's tying the knot early on in my adulthood or even waiting decades for that one person God chooses to place in my life. Sure, it's probably time for me to start thinking about these things, but I never told you that I will miss being your baby girl. I never told you how much I will miss being your single daughter—having no adult responsibilities or anything in the world to worry about. Even with you living on the other side of the world, there are times I know I will want to shake away my problems and just run to you (or fly).

I never told you that one time I secretly went to a bar with my friends when I was in Europe. You specifically told me not to go out because of the political crisis at the time. In my defense, I was curious and I just wanted to have a good time. Now looking back, I feel terrible having lied to you. It was a mistake to have put my life at risk, knowing that you trusted my words. Mom, I never told you how guilty I felt throughout the rest of the trip and more importantly, I never told you the truth.

Now that I'm older, I want to tell you everything. I want to tell you what is happening in my life, the people I meet, things I'm doing, and how I feel. I want to share all of this with you because as a mother, you deserve to know. I know that from now on, I don't want to have any regrets not telling you anything, including I love you. You are my best friend and I wish I had told you sooner.