If you’re like me then you take extra care in all your friendships, relationships, and just general acquaintances. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to the movies with your friends or you’re going on a day trip; extra planning is always required. You already have 13 different possible outcomes planned for, from a flash flood to someone needing a band aid. You are prepared for it. Being a “mom” means you have to be ready for literally anything. I have seen my fair share of heartbreak, misfortune, and just simply wrong doing. At the ripe old age of 18, I could navigate you through just about anything. Which is why I guess God decided he would plant me in a garden full of daughters with the heart of a mother to grow up in. I am the pack a lunch in case one of “my children” forgot to, bring sunscreen, give any sort of advice under the sun kind of person.

You might be the mom friend if:

1. You brought a cooler of drinks and snacks to the senior field trip

Does this one sound like you? Because I actually did that. I got my paycheck, and budgeted out enough money to buy snacks and drinks for my senior babies. There was sandwich material, water, baby carrots, Gatorade, and Capri suns. I returned home with an empty cooler, and happy children.

2.You won’t put the car in drive unless all passengers are seat-belted

This is something I feel like every person should do, but maybe that’s the mom in me.

3. You Lecture

“I’m sorry what did you say? Camping with strangers on the beach? Alcohol and teenage girls and boys? Absolutely not young lady.” That’s right, I am the friend that, if you are about to ask your parents for something, you run it by me first, and if I say it’s not a good idea, then you can rest assured that you’re parents won’t be agreeing to it anytime in this century. Making a bad grade in a class? Well, I will be there to remind you about your GPA and how important it is to get into college and make something of yourself. Get in trouble at school? What were you thinking? I mean honestly, get it together.

4.You’re always the designated driver

If we are going to a party of some sort together, I am usually driving. My friends will go and have plenty of fun, but if I feel like they are in any sort of danger, we book it, quickly. I am the girl that, if needed, my friends can call at 3 in the morning, and take them home. This doesn’t mean that I won’t be upset with them, but if my babies are in trouble, you can bet your bottom I will go get them.

5.You have a “mom vocabulary”

This is something I didn’t even realize until one day I picked up my little brothers from school and my friend was with us. My brother was having a complication at school, and I said “Well son, you can’t do stuff like that.” My friend did a sort of double take, and she just looked at me like I was crazy. I didn’t know what she was talking about because this was just a way that I addressed my brothers all the time, but apparently it was a bit mommyish.

6. You have a sober prom party

OK, so this one sounds crazy, but hear me out. I didn't want any of my babies out on the road with the teenagers that did decide to drink and do whatever on prom night (absolutely no judgment. It just isn't what I wanted to do). So, I talked with my mother, I bought snacks and sodas, rented movies, pulled out the board games, and had an open invitation to my house after prom. We had an absolute blast. We stayed up very late, scandalous I know, and I went to sleep with a sense of contentment knowing that I did everything I could to make sure my friends had a fun place to be on prom night. Granted, not all of my children came, and that was sorta sad. Come on though, how many times would you have chosen staying in with your mom rather than hanging out with your friends on prom night?

7. You are way overprotective

This might mean that you take charge when one of your friends is being picked on. It might mean you are right there to monitor the nasty break up looming in the midst. Or maybe they're just thinking of doing something dumb. Either way, you're their to tell them all the pros and cons of the situation, and you're not going to let them make any wrong decisions. "What do you mean you want to go night swimming with your ex, and all his friends? Oh, it's okay cause his new girl is there? Nope nope nope."

8. You care way too much

The worst best part about being the mom friend is how big your heart is. It doesn't matter if you're mad at your babies, in an argument, or just not speaking to each other you are always worrying about your friends well beings. You could be in a three-day feud, but if you hear about something happening, you put down the walls and make sure they are okay. Because no matter how much you fight, you are always there for that person, and always ready to be their shoulder if they need it.

9. Their accomplishments feel like victories for you too

When your friends do something amazing, you are right their cheering them on because that's how awesome it is. You have such a sense of pride when they do something that you just want to hug them, and celebrate with them. One of my friends got a full ride scholarship to her top choice scholarship, and my heart was so completely happy for her, I cried. I could not have been more proud, and excited for her. Another one of my friends got a scholarship that covers most of her college, and there was such a feeling of content and pride because she truly deserved it, and I was so ecstatic for her. Something amazing happening to yourself is awesome, but being a part of someone else's happiness is equally as amazing, if not better.

So, if you relate to any of this, then you might be a soul mother. I am the mom of all my groups. This is a title I hold to the utmost honor, as my own mother is my favorite person on the planet. If telling my teenage babies things they don't always want to hear, giving advice that they don't always agree with, but need to know, is the worst thing I do, then I am OK with that.