Hey mom, you probably never thought an article would ever be written about you but you were wrong! I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me throughout my life. You have guided me and made me into the best person I could possibly be. I know words will never be enough to show you how much I truly love and care about you but it's worth a shot.

Here are just a few things I have learned from you in the past (almost) 19 years.

You taught me to laugh.

Growing up was so easy when you had a mom who would laugh at everything. You gave me such a silly sense of humor that I will laugh at some of the dumbest jokes. It may sound like a bad thing, but laughing is so good for you so I must be so healthy because of you.

You gave me a great smile and a positive attitude.

You are (almost) always happy and smiling. Anyone we meet will tell me that I remind them of you because I always have a smile on my face. Becuase of you, I have made so many friends and memories just by smiling and staying positive. You gave me your happy-go-lucky attitude and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am such a happy and positive person because of you and I can make fun out of almost anything.

You taught me how to tell a good story.

Anyone who knows me knows I love to tell stories and I am Queen at making a 5-minute grocery store trip into a 30-minute story and I have you to thank for that. From my perspective, it is definitely not a bad thing. I love making large, elaborate stories to share with everyone around me and hopefully make them laugh or smile and just brighten their day. I have you to thank for this because I grew up my whole life listening to your countless stories. We both know how to talk a lot, which leads me to my next point...

You taught me how to talk a lot.

My favorite thing about coming home from college is sitting on my bed or at the kitchen table and just talking to you about who knows what for hours and hours. I get so much of my personality from you and I could never be the person I am today without being able to talk a mile a minute. Due to our many stories, we can talk for hours on end but I wouldn't change it for the world.

You taught me how to bargain hunt.

Now, this may have been the most useful thing you taught me to do...COUPONING! Being a college student now, I am more than thankful that I know how to seek out the best deal and always get all the sales. I may make fun of you from time to time, but I envy your coupon collection and because of you, I have always been known to have the best pantry.

You showed me blasting music in the car is always the way to go.

There has never been a car ride where the radio isn't playing country music at a fairly high volume, just high enough so you can't hear yourself singing. It is by far the best way to enjoy any car ride so thank you for always being willing to blast country with me.

You made me a beach babe.

From the second I could walk I loved the sun and the sand. Due to my millions of memories at Stone Harbor, I have a true appreciation for the beach. I know that if we both had our choice, we would live at the beach all year round and soak up all the sun that our tan bodies could handle.

This by far isn't everything I've learned from you but I just want you to know that you are the best mom a girl could ask for, so Happy Mother's Day. You deserve the world, but here is an article instead.