My mom is my hero and my best friend. We are the real life Lorelei and Rory. At times, she can come off as abrasive and I worry about her being lonely, so for years I have grown up hoping to be different than her. But as time passed, I realized that my mom is the one human who encompasses all of the characteristics that I admire the most in people. In fact, all of my favorite attributes about myself are there because of my mom. And for that I am forever thankful to the woman who has taught me how to be the best possible version of myself.

I am outspoken.

I think that my mom's tendency to be harsh stems from her ability to speak her mind. She doesn't hold back and it may get her into trouble with people sometimes, but I find it admirable. Throughout my whole life, I certainly haven't been one to bottle in my emotions, but I have always been cautious of confrontation. I frickin' hate confrontation, but my mom has taught me that sometimes it's necessary to be confrontational in order to avoid being walked over by people. You can never please everyone so why censor yourself instead of being open and honest?

I am brave.

My mom is such a badass. She is a single mother who had a kindergartener when she was going through law school. When I was ten we moved across the United States away from both of our hometowns and started fresh. She knew nobody in our new city and made a wonderful life for us. My mom has inspired me to take risks and be bold. When I'm weary about a new experience she motivates me to be courageous and go for it. When I lack my own bravery she reminds me of all of the other times I have had the confidence to be fearless.

I am logical.

She is my voice of reason. She has taught me how to remove my emotions and personal reactions in situations and how to look at things from a rational point of view. This is one of my favorite qualities about myself because it allows me to be a good decision maker and objectively give advice to people. I love being the person that my friends turn to and I thank my mom for equipping me with the emotional intelligence needed to provide them with solid, impartial guidance.

I am self-aware.

This is probably the most important quality my mom has instilled in me. She has shown how important it is to get in touch with your soul and figure out the things that make you happy. She regularly encourages me to seek out my passions and pursue them. She has taught me the importance of processing my emotions to live a happy and mentally healthy life.

I am independent.

One of my mom's greatest strengths and my biggest worries is her love for being alone. Since I was a toddler, she has prepared me to be a successful and self-sustaining adult through open and honest conversations.

I am the person I am today because of the principles my mom has ingrained into my being. She has taught me so much about how to be a good person to others, but that it's okay to make yourself a priority. I leave you with this "Gilmore Girls" quote that sums it all up.

"As she guided me through these incredible eighteen years, I don't know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be was her. Thank you, Mom, you are my guidepost for everything."