No one wants to grow up. If I could be back in elementary school with not a care in the world, I would be. But, that's not reality and whether or not we want to accept it, life moves forward.

We all have to grow up at some point, and for me, it was earlier than most.

It's not as if I didn't have a good childhood. It was good but hard. Having a single mother for a parent made me realize that the only real person I could count on in life was myself. She had to work long hours and I had to figure out how to do all that I needed. For this, I am forever grateful.

Adults always say not to rush it, but growing up too fast may have been the best thing that ever happened to me.

Every kid deserves to enjoy their younger years, and I did. But, I also gained so much from being an independent kid. My mother is the most loving and kind parent who oozes strength and beauty. While I was growing up, she had a lot on her plate, having to raise two kids alone.

It wasn't easy and in a way, I had to help raise myself.

The best thing my mother ever did was push me to do things on my own. Balancing school, activities, chores and scheduling was a lot. Now the world feels easier to conquer. I am more prepared to take it all on.

In tenth grade, at only 15 years old, I decided to pick up and move to Israel for four months. Not knowing a single person on the trip or the language, I just went. It did push me to grow in ways I didn't even know that I could, but I also had so much inside me.

There were moments where it felt hard and stressful. However, now in college, I realize that it has afforded me so many advantages. It taught me to be independent and strong. Being away from home, it can be hard to balance it all, but not for me.

I can rely on myself and take care of my own needs.

Watching some of my friends struggle to even do their laundry or schedule their own classes made me feel so grateful. I might not have realized it back then, but I see the difference in how I live my life versus others. Letting your kids have independence and live their own life at a young age is so beneficial to them in the long run. Regardless of my relationship status when I have kids, I want them to have the skills and life experience that I have had.

At a young age, I had a decision to let the waves of life drown me, or to surf them and deal with whatever comes my way. Some waves might knock you down and others might get you lost in the ocean, but there is always a way to figure it out.