There comes a time when you realize that girl who you’re out dancing with and having sleepovers with may not actually be your best friend. Rather, it’s the one who you spend the majority of your time bickering with. It's the one telling you what’s right from wrong and draining the fun out of everything. Believe it or not, that is your best friend. Mom, I don’t know why it took so long for me to realize this, but you are a friend who I am so lucky and blessed to have. You are the first person who I want to call, whether it’s to burst in joy or cry in sadness. You are the one who I am proud to come from and who I aspire to be.

I feel like whenever that three-letter word ("Mom") comes out my mouth, it’s associated with a tone of annoyance and attitude. Interestingly, the response that I receive is patient and helpful. How can that be? How can one have such a beautiful heart that they stay so calm and reassuring during the toughest times? That, indeed, is the brilliance behind a mother. Forget a world of princesses, unicorns, and superheroes, we are blessed to live in a world with the ultimate supernatural figure.

Thank you so much, mom, for being who you are. Thank you for getting mad, thank you for criticizing me, and thank you for pointing out my negativities. Without all of that, I would not be who you see today. Being away at college isn’t easy. The love and warmth that you provided me with for 19 years feels distant. You’re no longer there to wake me up or to make sure that I sleep at an acceptable time. I miss it. I miss you on the daily, but I feel secure in knowing that you will always be there. No matter what happens, I will always have a safe spot to come home to.