For all of you out there that have gotten the privilege to get to know my Mom, you know just how lucky you are. Michele Stein is spunky, loud, and a little annoying, but also the most loving and compassionate person I have ever met. I am more than lucky to have been birthed by her and this weekend is her birthday and Mother's Day.

I racked my brain for weeks alongside my Dad and Sister to try and come up with some killer gifts and the perfect way to make basically the entire weekend special for her. While we do have some super cool things and gifts planned, I realized (with my Sister's help, that she didn't even know she gave) that there's no better way to honor my Mom on her birthday than to write a long overdo article all about her.

Twenty years ago, just about, my Mom had her first baby, me. Taking a chance on having a child at a young age, just out of college, was probably a risk in itself, but then you had me and wow... you had your work cut out for you. Then you had another one and I'm almost positive you had Hailey solely because I begged you for a little sister, not because you actually wanted to take the chance of creating another hurricane child like myself. The adventure started right when I popped out and hasn't stopped for a second since. Mom, you are my partner in crime, my adventure plus one, and the best sugar momma the world's ever seen. You're the best sushi date, tailgate partner, advice bank, , personal hype man, photographer, and someone who I wouldn't even want to imagine life without. It's a good thing you chose to have me 20 years ago, because there's no better Mother Daughter duo in this world than us.

When you think about your average Mom, you think Mom jeans and a bad haircut. You think a mini van and the fact that you never want your friends to meet her. I am so fortunate to have the complete opposite of that situation. My house is always the place my friend's stop by and never want to leave, my Mom has definitely never worn a pair of mom jeans in her life, and she drives a pretty sexy car while wearing the trendiest outfit every single day.

My Mom keeps up with the times and definitely likes to make life interesting, which is part of what makes her so special. As a high school administrator, one can credit her students for keeping her so hip, but I'd like to credit myself. I know you hate it mom, but me blasting some not-so-appropriate music in the car definitely helps you identify what not to play at school dances and at pep rallies! In all honesty, my Mom actually puts up with me blasting rap music, and using slang and other language that most people wouldn't dare use in front of their mom, which is something I will be forever grateful for.

Michele Stein has also instilled some pretty great qualities in me over the years. Let's start with my love of the Florida State Seminoles, the world of education, the color pink, country music, and sushi. These are a few of my favorite things that also happen to be my Mom's favorite things. Although I grew to like a lot of these things on my own, I'm sure the spark stemmed from seeing you enjoy it. Also, your fake love of the beach made me love the beach; so much so that I begged you for a mini swimming pool and a beach paradise for the backyard that you totally delivered on. Your way of life shaped me into who I am today, Mom, all your crazy quirks. From random tap dancing to excessive wine drinking, everything you do is for me or inspires me, and it always shines through, especially when you make someone like me love country music.

She's also the Mom that was always there for me and was never afraid to let me be myself. As someone who has always been super outgoing and smart, my Mom was always behind every single decision I ever made to go out for teams and leadership positions. She reads and promotes every single Odyssey article I write, she shares every post I make asking for donations for Dance Marathon, and she supports my love for Florida State and all of my involvements there... and she loves wearing that FSU and Delta Zeta Mom gear I love to get for her. Most importantly though, my mom backs me 100% in following my dreams. I have wanted to work in education since I was little and although she may have tried to steer me in a direction where I'd make more money, she always realized my dream and dreamed it with me. Today, as an education major months away from starting the major coursework, she never forgets to tell me how in a few years I'm going to make the most amazing teacher, and that everyone is going to fight over hiring me.

There's some things you seriously can't help but look back and be thankful for every once in a while. Obviously, It's great that i have a cool Mom, because not many people have that. It's great that she's hip and all my friends love her, because not many people have that. However, it's especially great that I have a mom who showers me with unconditional love an support in absolutely every aspect of my life. She ensures to teach me lessons when I do wrong, and to put me on a pedestal when I succeed, but no matter what she's running my race of life right alongside me and I couldn't be more grateful.

There's this song called 'You Can't Lose Me' by Faith Hill. My Mom introduced me to the song as a child and made sure to tell me that right before the Father Daughter dance at my wedding, we'd be dancing a Mother Daughter dance to the Faith Hill classic. The song is all about how we'll always be family and we'll always be together and I couldn't think of a better way to describe the relationship between my Mom and I. You know if you've seen us together that my Mom and I are basically the same person, so honestly I'm not totally sure what I'd do without her anyway. So just know Mom, no matter what, you can't lose me... seriously I wont make it without you.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking care of me and all my ridiculousness over the past 20 years and being my true best friend. I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day.

Love always,

Ilana