Let's be real here. If you asked me who my best friend was 10 years ago, I would have laughed at you if you told me it was my mom. But, what other friend can we say has actually been there since the day you were born and has actually accepted you as you are, 100 percent?

Rewind back to being 5-10 years old, when your mom was the one to wipe your nose, pick you up when you fell down, and tell you there is nothing in this world that you couldn't do. You would come home from elementary school to her giant hugs, and warm smile. Your mom really wanted to hear about your day, even though you probably just colored and continued to learn how to read and struggle with math. Did you look at this as your mom being your best friend at the time? Probably not; Caitlin was your best friend of the week, duh.

You're now in middle school. Oh gosh, the awkward years. This is where you began to realize that not everyone is your friend, side bangs were the it thing, eyeliner must be applied in large amounts, and the only cool clothes had the Hollister logo plastered across the front. When you came home countless times in tears, who was the one to rub your back and tell you what Sally said today was only because she was jealous? You knew your mom was there to cheer you up, even if you decided to talk back and tell her how wrong she was and that she just doesn't understand because she's an adult. Trust me, she understands. This is just the start of seeing the true side of people in school and in life, it gets worse. You need your best friend, your mom, more than you might ever imagine, but you're too cool to admit that so you keep it on the down low, right?

Oh what's up high school, we're here already? Let's talk about the rebellious stage, where talking back and being a total know it all is the next coolest thing. Your mom, being your mom, tells you that you have a curfew meaning that you cannot go to Johnny's party. What the heck is she doing? Trying to ruin my life? I can't stand her. You decide to sneak out because this is supposed to be the party of the year. Give it 15 minutes, your phone begins to buzz, "Call from Mom." Party's over. You go home and argue for hours about how you want to be cool for once, and wish that she was a "cool Mom" like Sally's, who didn't care what time she went out. Living in that exact moment, it is pretty hard to see how your mom was only trying to be your best friend. Your mom cared.

Besides caring, your mom listened to you cry over every guy who decided to break your heart, (you know, the guy who you thought was the "one," whatever that means at 16) and went to any extent to make sure you were OK. She also took you shopping because you complained over not having clothes that were new and just wanted to feel like you fit in for once. Even when your mom knew she couldn't afford it at the time, she went completely broke just to see you smile.

Now you're in college. You up and move over 1,000 miles away because you jumped at any chance there was to go experience new things. Your parents help you move into your freshman dorm. Little do you understand is that they are not moving with you, but instead, they are leaving you completely by yourself. You say your final goodbyes and your Mom is an emotional wreck. Your dad tries to play it cool and not seem emotional because he's a man, men don't cry. Being alone becomes cool for the first day or two. Then, you experience a problem, and your mom isn't physically there to comfort you. Oh crap, you're homesick.

With living on my own so far away, I have taken every second I get on the phone with my mom as a blessing. I can easily say that I learned so much from my mom. She is not only my best friend who listens to every story I tell her (no matter how insane), but, she is my role model, my rock, the person who has kept me sane the most while being away at college, and someone I wouldn't know what to do without.

Growing up has only let me see how many times my mom has tried to help me over the years. Most of us take advantage of our parents guidance, whether it be from either a mother or father figure. It should not take moving to realize that our parents are the best things in our lives and they are truly the real MVPs, the OG best friends.

I am so beyond thankful for my one true best friend, my mother.

Thank you so much for never getting tired of hearing about my day, listening to me cry about being stressed out, transferring me money when I literally have 25 cents to my name, and for all around just being the awesome person that you are.

Do your mom or dad a favor, call him or her once you read this and thank them for loving you through everything, including those god awful middle school days.

Love you Mom (and Dad),

Signed by the one who looks up to you the most: your daughter, or son.