Life is too short to go through it without someone by your side. That is the reason why we date, the reason why we make friends, the reason why we go out into the world and make connections with people. If you can, think back a moment to your younger years. Elementary school, maybe even middle school. Picking a seat in the cafeteria, finding someone to play with at recess, you know, the good old days. And if you’ll recall, few endeavors seemed as important as finding a best friend. The one friend above all others, whom you could call on for help, share a laugh with, and always have by your side. I have been so blessed to be able to say that there are several people in my life who fit this description, and I don’t know where I would be without them. But they are not the topic I want to discuss today. No, today, I’m going to share with you three reasons why your mom could be the best friend you ever have.
1. She's Been With You Through It All
Most of the acquaintances I talk to on a regular basis are the ones I met in high school and college, with the exception of my boyfriend, whom I met in the seventh grade. As such, there are a lot of experiences I have had that those people can’t really connect to. Sure, they can have empathy and a good imagination, but it isn’t the same as being there. But no one has been by your side longer than your mother. You shared nine months together before you were even born. My mother has seen everything from my first smile to my first day of college, and as such, is able to relate to me on a much deeper level than anyone else I know. One of the greatest joys in having a best friend is the ability to laugh together about shared experiences, and when your mother is that best friend, you can genuinely say she has been there for everything.
2. She's Seen Every Part Of You
The good, the bad and the ugly. Your mother sees you at your best, and at your worst. You but heads, you argue, you want to scream in frustration, and the next hour, you could be out goofing around at the mall. My mother and I have a lot of similarities personality-wise, which does lead to some occasional clashing, but because she’s my mother, I know we will always work through our problems. She was there for those embarrassing outbursts of teen angst, so she can certainly deal with me when I’m in a bad mood. And I know she won’t judge me for it. In fact, I’m quite sure that she will be brutally honest and tell me to stop being such a pessimist. There’s no reason to keep up any walls with her; she would know if you did, anyway. And since she knows you to an absolute tee, she always knows just the thing to help you become the best version of yourself.
3. She Will Always Be There For You
From my earliest memories, my mother has been both supportive and protective to an extensive degree, and I’m sure the same can be said for any other mama bears out there. She has always encouraged me to follow my passions and dreams, and she’s talked me down from the absolute worst times in my life, no matter what those might have been. When my first grade boyfriend broke things off, we went for ice cream. When my cheering squad began to turn into a hierarchy of mean girls, she literally applied to be the coach for the following season, and she gave me the best year of cheerleading I ever experienced, and by far the only one I ever enjoyed. Every time I’ve been hurt, she’s the first one to jump to my defense. A mother is not only the queen of her castle, she is also the valiant knight who protects her children from any threat, no matter how small. I know that I can call on my mother for even the silliest reason, and she will be right there by my side in an instant.
I am honored to say that my mother is the best friend I have ever had, and I do not know what I would do without her. She is still my parent, but it’s those quiet moments of genuine friendship that make our relationship as mother and daughter so incredibly special. I’m lucky to have realized early in life how wonderful my mother is, and what a great friend she makes. And if you can, I encourage you to reach out to your mother for more than pizza money or the car keys. Because who knows? If you don’t give her a chance, you could be missing out on the opportunity to make a connection with the most important person in your life.
