"When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it is a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway." -Erma Bombeck

Odds are if you are asked who has known you the longest and knows you the best, the answer will be one of your parents. For me, it's my mom. I can't really think of who else it could be.

She was the one that saw me right after I was born. She was there when I took my first steps, when I lost my first tooth trying to open a plastic toy bag and saw me off on my first day of school everyday. She's been there for me every step of the way.

I've watched my mom go through a lot of things in her life, but she always has put on a brave face for her two kids. Sure, she gets frustrated with us at times. She is always looking out for us and pushing us to do our best.

She has been the one who's seen me at every phase of my life: the crazy toddler, the playful kid, the athletic phase, the moody teen, the theatre nerd and soon the college kid.

Whether it was a basketball game or a theatre event, I always knew I could look out into the stands or audience and she'd be there cheering me on. That is something I have always been thankful. She's the person who never missed my events and always told me how to improve my performances.

I've been lucky enough to watch my mom go from a scared and worried young women with a baby to a strong-willed and amazing women with two kids. She has sacrificed so much for us and never has thought twice about it. She makes sure we know that we are loved and cared for.

Our relationship has not been perfect. We've had fights like your typical teen and Mom, but we have always somehow made it work, even when she didn't like what I was doing. She's listened to all my crazy ideas like moving to Japan to save the dolphins. She usually just shakes her head and laughs, but she never completely shuts down my hair brained schemes.

It's weird thinking soon I won't be living with her. That hasn't really been a time in my life when I didn't see her everyday. I know she hates thinking that I am leaving her nest soon, but I hope she knows I will never be too far away. It'll be strange no seeing all the time. I won't be sitting in a car with her at least once a day where we sing along to the radio. We will not be able to sit on the couch at night and watch our favorite t.v. shows together. Though, I know she'll always be my overprotective mother, who wants the best for me.

She's never been afraid to give her opinions on my friends or who I am associating myself with to make sure I stay on my path. She has been there to listen to me vent about school problems and allows me to complain about it. She always looks out for me and I'm sure she will continue to do so for me.

I hope I make her as proud of me as I want her to be. I know I'm the not the perfect child and I make things difficult at times, but I still want her to be happy with who I am and who I become.

So, thanks Mom for being my mother. You've done so much for me. I hope one day I can repay you for that. Even more so, I can only wish my future (in the very distant future) children look up to me like I look up to you.