When I was younger, the Rugrats were my jam. Tommy and the gang were the people I would watch on TV all the time. When "Rugrats in Paris" came out, I had that VHS tape as soon as it was available. There is one part in the movie that gets me every time. When they are on the plane to Paris, Chuckie starts staring out the window. From there, he starts imagining him with his mother in the clouds. To make the scene more depressing, a song comes on singing about wanting a mother. This broke my heart as a child, and it still hits me in the feels now.

After I try and pick up the shattered pieces of my heart and wipe away the tears from such a sad scene, I usually try and find my mom immediately to give her a big hug. I cannot imagine ever being in the position where I am longing for my mom and she isn't there.

A mom is one of your first friends. She was the one that had to deal with your constant crying and throwing up as a baby, and she hasn't stopped caring for you since. Without complaining, mothers work so hard for their children to ensure that they have everything they need to grow up successful. It is certainly a hard job, and I am so grateful that I have a mom to always be there for me.

There is not a day that goes by where I am not in contact with my mom. While I am sure she would love not to get three phone calls a day from me, she never tells me to leave her be, even if she is having a bad day herself. She is the one I go to for almost every decision I make, no matter how big or small. Whether I want to tell her about something that happened during work or I want to vent about a boy that's ruining my life, she is always there to listen and give advice. I trust her opinion more than I trust my own at times, mainly because she is usually right. Mom, if you are reading this, do not use that last sentence against me. You are right most of the time. There are exceptions.

Being an only child, I've grown up with my parents being my best friends. However, I grew up in a household with some pretty high expectations. My parents, especially my mom, wanted me to work really hard in school because they knew that I could handle the hard classes and schoolwork. While I didn't appreciate the pressure when I was younger, I am so grateful for that push because it helped get me to where I am today.

Mom, thank you for all that you've done for me. It never goes unnoticed, and I am sorry that I am not more appreciative. Thank you for always holding me to a higher standard. I don't thank you enough for the unconditional love you show me, or the wisdom that you share. I would truly be lost without you. All I want in this life is to never disappoint you, and to make you proud. I hope to be like you when I am older, just with cuter shoes. I love you.

P.S. Go hug your mom and tell her that you love her. Mother's Day is every day, not just once a year.