I know very well that my mom and I don't have a very typical mother-daughter relationship. While she's still my authority figure and I respect her as such, I'm also as close to her (if not closer) as I am with many of my best friends my age, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
1. She's often the first person you want to call when you need to talk to someone
Whether something terrible or incredible has happened, or if I just want to talk simply because I feel like it, she is usually the first person to receive a FaceTime or phone call from me.
2. You have long, deep talks that you can't have with anyone else
My mom is one of the wisest people I know, and I can always count on her for sound advice. She has a couple of years on me and knows what she's talking about.
3. When you two fight, it can get a little crazy
I take after my mom's stubbornness, so when we get in arguments, it gets to a knock-down, drag-out level. Just kidding. However, because I know she is one of the few people who will love me unconditionally regardless of what we say to each other -- it can get a little nasty -- we always make up.
4. Nothing is secret between y'all -- nothing
"You told your mom about that??" is a question I'm often asked by friends, usually followed by a "Wow, my mom would kill me if she knew ______." Few people really understand how ridiculously open we are with each other, and there aren't many boundaries to what we will or won't talk about.
5. She's friends with all of your friends
There have been multiple occasions when my mom will hang out with my close friends and me, and even a couple times when they'll hang out without me altogether. She's not a regular mom, she's a cool mom (and I'm pretty sure my friends think she's cooler than me).
6. If she doesn't like someone in your life, they're probably out of the picture
Moms have this weird sixth sense where they can tell which friends are bad and which boys will screw you over. You always wish that her gut feeling was wrong, but she gets it right almost every. single. time.
7. You text every day
Rarely even about anything important, really. My texts with my mom typically include talking about how our days are going, joking around or messing with each other, and selfies. (We're still working on her selfie skills, though.)
8. You often brag about each other
My mom talks about me all the time, even sometimes to complete strangers, and I can't remember the last time I went a day without mentioning her at some point either. Also, I don't recommend ever insulting my mom in front of me. Those who have done so haven't survived to tell the tale.
9. Everything is shared between the two of you
When I'm home, we share everything from hair products to wine to books to makeup. It also doesn't hurt that my mom and I wear the same size clothing and she is possibly more stylish than me, so neither of us are really sure where my closet ends and hers begins.
10. You're never too old to sleep on "Dad's side" of the bed when he's gone
Yes, I am an adult. Yes, my mom and I have sleepovers on a regular basis. No, I refuse to ever grow out of it.
11. Being told that you look alike is one of the greatest compliments ever
My definition of beauty begins with the word "mom," so being told that my mom and I are twins is pretty cool. I got it from my mama!
12. However, being told that you're just like her in other ways is even better
Everything I aspire to be is everything that my mom is, so I couldn't be happier to hear that my personality is a reflection of hers. If I have grown up to be like her, she definitely succeeded at parenting me.
13. Words of affirmation are the best when they're coming from her
"I'm proud of you" doesn't sound nearly as good from anyone else as it does when my mom says it. I value her opinion more than anyone else's, so knowing that she's proud of me is the best feeling ever.
14. You promise yourself that when you have kids, you're gonna parent just like she did
I can't think of many things my mom did poorly in raising me, and I only hope that I can be as patient, loving, accepting, fun and downright awesome as she is when I'm a mom.
15. No one could ever replace her
What a blessing it is to have your best friend, mentor, role model, counselor, shoulder to cry on, cheerleader, protector, supporter and mother all in one person. Nobody could top her if they tried, and she will always hold a super special place in your heart.
