I have been blessed with a great mom. She has been my constant best friend for my twenty years of life. If there is any truth to the concept of soulmates, I believe that my mom and I fit that bill. Of course, I don't mean it in the romantic sense, but she and I have gotten along in a unique way. Can senses of humor be passed along through generations? Some of my most belly-aching laughs have been shared with her. Some of my saddest moments have been shared with her. There is nothing that I could go through in life that I would not feel comfortable sharing with her. Growing up, she was my guiding light — teaching, caring and providing. These days, my mom is more of a guardian. She is there for me as I learn and discover for myself and when I need someone's company in happy and sad times. I could only hope for all the resources in the world to give my mom everything she deserves. There is a lot that I cannot provide for her, but there is a lot that I can.

I will care for my mom. My mom has seen me at my worst. She has wiped away my tears when I was sad and layered on blankets after blankets when I was sick. On the cusp of adulthood, it's my turn to step up and care for my mom when she needs it. I think that we often forget that parents are human too. It is easy to see them as mom and dad, but they have names, stories and feelings that are as real as our own. Moms can hurt and under particular circumstances, only her child(ren) can comfort her.

I will cherish my mom. The things she has done for me are innumerable. Again, it's easy to blow these off because she's my mom and I should just expect her to do them, right? Wrong. Moms make our lives exponentially easier and that's not something that can go unnoticed. Never will I take my mom for granted and I can do this by helping her with anything she needs. Mom, you have my number. Just let me know.

I will love her. I'm going to be cliché and I don't even care. There is nothing quite like a mother's love. A whole damn life is created inside a mom's body. They go through hell to bring us into the world, but they still love us! It's pure and kind and continuous. I have and always will love my mom, but it's important to really show it. Because truth be told, love is such a fantastic thing that humans have. We have evolved from primitive beginnings, and now we have such deep affections for a select number of people in our life. It's beautiful. It's raw. Share it, especially with those who have shared it with you since your beginning.

I love you, mom.