Who is the only person who truly knows you better than you know yourself? Who is the woman that has watched you pass through all your awkward phases and shaped you into the woman you are today? She is the one and only -- your mother. 

1. She knows when you are lying, no matter how great of a performance you put on. She sees right through that sneaky smirk and those forgiving eyes.

2. She gets really mad when she sees you are talking to mister *don't reply* in your contacts. She knows he has broken your heart a few times too many and she hates him, maybe even more than you do.

3. She will be brutally honest. There is no chance she' is not going to say you are dressed "unbecoming of a lady" or that you should put down that cupcake and probably hit up the gym. 

4. You come to her for advice about anything and everything. She really does have a way of making you feel so much better. Even if you never listen to her, her judgements are usually always right. 

5. She is your favorite drinking partner. Nothing like some mother/daughter bonding with some margaritas by the pool. And, she doesn't buy the cheap alcohol like you have reluctantly gotten used to in college.

6. She will send you hilarious texts and selfies. She finally considers herself hip after downloading emojis and discovering the wonders of the front camera option. 

7. She knows you are an ugly crier -- and she still loves you. All those nights you have come crawling into bed with her because you are having a meltdown -- she has seen just about it all. She might even wipe the mascara off your face and hand you a tissue if she really loves you.

8. She makes you actually want to come home and visit. That is saying a lot, because we all know how fun being away from home can be. Sometimes just relaxing and telling your mom about all your crazy stories is just what you need. Oh, and a stocked pantry and your favorite home cooked meals don't seem to hurt either.

9. She just loves to embarrass you in front of your friends. She insists on meeting your new guy or your new group of girl friends and pulls out all of the naked baby pictures, awkward dance moves, and weird stories about you just to mortify you -- out of love, of course. 

10. She will pry every last detail from you about your personal life. Even the things you definitely should not be telling your mother are things that she will eventually know. She knows you are not always telling the whole truth or that you are always the innocent one in the situation. She has her way of getting you to spill the whole story. 

11. Sometimes, all you need is her hug -- which is like no one else's in the world. Whether you are five years old, or fifty-two and married with children, her hugs will always make you feel a little bit better.