I moved out of home when I was 18 years old and at the time I felt like it couldn't have come sooner. I was convinced that my parents' rules and regulations were only stifling me. I felt controlled and misunderstood. I felt as if I was too old for their guidance, too wise for their advice and more independent than they would ever let me be. Moving out was going to give me that ability to do everything and anything- and I wouldn't need my parent's permission for any of it.

I was excited to be rid of the scolding, the questioning, and the control. I couldn't wait to finally experience what it was like to make my own decisions without needing permission and I was excited to finally "get away" with the things my parents would never have allowed.

I felt like I was going to be a completely different person.

No one warned me, however, how difficult the change was going to be and how much I was going to miss out on. Suddenly, Mom wasn't there to do my laundry. She wasn't around to help me multitask when I became too overwhelmed. She wasn't a few feet away when I needed a shoulder to cry on. She wasn't constantly around to offer me suggestions. She wasn't there to help me straighten my hair, pick out an outfit, or humor me with lame "mom jokes."

She especially wasn't there to cook. I didn't get any more of Mom's food, and until you live without it, you'll never realize how much you seriously need it.

My mom means more to me now than I ever thought she would and as I continue to grow and build my life, I am going to be forever thankful and grateful for everything she did for me and all she continues to do. I have gained a new appreciation for my mom within the moments apart, yet there is a part of me that wishes I had told her everything I now understand:

1. I really don't hate you.

Even though I know I must have said it a million times when I was unhappy with your rules, mad because of a punishment, or upset that you made me do chores that absolutely killed me, I never meant it and I'm sorry I said it.

2. You were right.

I never thought I'd admit it, but you were right. About everything.

3. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for all the temper tantrums I threw, all the times I slammed my bedroom door, and the unnecessary outbursts I threw your way. I'm sorry for the horrific teenage drama I put you through. I'm sorry I took my personal problems out on you. I'm sorry for all the moments I disappointed you and all the heartache I caused because of my bad decisions.

4. Thank You.

You gave up everything for me and made more sacrifices than I will ever know and I appreciate everything. Thank you for buying those name-brand clothes for me in Junior High that I was convinced I just had to have despite the fact that they were only over-priced and overly-expensive compared to the stores you wanted to shop at. Thank you for putting me first and forgetting about yourself. Thank you for staying up late at night when I needed to talk, and thank you for staying home with me when I was sick. You gave me everything and taught me everything I know. Thank you for everything.

5. You taught me the very most.

I never would have learned how to make Grandma's Christmas cookies without your countless years of teaching me. I still wouldn't know how to do laundry. And without you, I probably never would have learned how to clean up a mess instead of hiding it under my bed. You taught me some of life's most important lessons and because of you, I learned more than anything a school book ever could.

6. I admire you.

You can literally do everything. And you can do everything all at once. You're a mom, a daughter, a wife, a sister, a cook, a seamstress, a doctor, a therapist, a cop (honestly, with the amount of sh*t I never got away with, I'm pretty positive you're a spy) a singer, a taxi driver, a finance manager, a wardrobe consultant, and a hairstylist all rolled up in one. And you're the best of them all.

7. I still don't agree with you on everything.

Never have, never will. But I still love you. Always have, always will.

8. Thank you for punishing me.

I used to hate being reprimanded and I hated being grounded. (I especially used to hate it when you'd take my bedroom door of the hinges.) But every punishment taught me a lesson and even if I had to learn the hard way, your tough love taught me the things I needed the very most. I turned out to be a pretty okay human being because of you, and I'm thankful for every wrong you corrected me in.

9. I hope you still don't know all of my secrets.

Seriously though, because you would be pissed.

10. Thank you for always loving me.

You were the one person who showed me despite what I did or what I didn't do. You loved me for who I was and who I wasn't. You loved me when I was wrong. You loved me when I was right. No matter who I was and no matter what I did, you continued to love me; you loved me even when I didn't love myself. Thank you for loving me through everything and teaching me how to love in return.

It's true that a mother really is the greatest blessing. Even if it may not seem like it at times, they love us (no, they surprisingly aren't trying to ruin your life.)

Growing up has taught me more than I could have ever imagined but out of all the things it's taught me, I'm thankful it has taught me how to truly love my mom.