Moms are the ultimate combination of love, comfort, care and happiness. Whether you’re sad or happy or heartbroken or excited, moms are there to join in your happiness and comfort you in your struggles. Just cuddling up to her can make you feel instantly safe and at home. All moms do whatever they need to do for their kids, but then there are moms who go above and beyond to show their unconditional love and support to their kids. Lucky for me, I have been blessed with one of those moms.

Ever since I was a little kid, I can remember watching movies with my mom and reading stories together. She was always by my side and watched whatever show I wanted to watch. She even took me to my first concert (Hilary Duff, 2005... best day of my little 5th-grade life). Through crushing on boys and wanting to wear the clothes that were stylish rather than what mom thought looked good on me, she was patient and understanding and never made me feel like I was burdening her. She taught me to believe in myself and be proud of who I am, no matter what the circumstances. Something I am still thankful for to this day.

She stood by me as I had my first boyfriend in high school. She was excited for me when he would bring me flowers or say something sweet, and she held me when I cried over him after we broke up. She always made sure I kept my values strong in spite of the pressures around me and taught me to be strong when they were challenged. She stood by me when I hit an all time low and could barely make it out of bed in the morning. She held me together when I was dealing with harassment from kids at school and was struggling with a depression that felt impossible to overcome. She never once gave up on me in the midst of all the hardships and drama and breakdowns that high school brought on, and her unconditional love is what got me through the times I wanted to give up. Moms are the glue that holds you together; the strength that keeps you going when it feels like the ground is dropping out from under you.

My mom very quickly became my best friend once I started college. She was there to listen when I complained about rude kids in my classes or scummy guys and always picked me up at the end of the weekend and let me sleep for hours when I got home. She’s been the number one person that I go to when I need a cuddle sesh or just a word of encouragement on the phone before a stressful test or presentation. My strength and my motivation stem from her and it’s simply because she has always gone above and beyond for me and my family. She not only kept us fed and happy and helped us with homework, but she built close relationships with my brother and I and became a friend to confide in along with a mother to lean on and learn from. From countless sports games and band concerts to talent shows and induction ceremonies, my mom hasn’t missed a single big moment in my life, and that’s because she is a part of every significant moment I have had. She’s my best friend, my confidant, and my biggest support system. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for her love.

So make sure to thank for mom for everything she has done, and still does for you. Remind her how much she is appreciated and how lucky you are to have such a dedicated, hardworking and loving woman as a role model and friend. I love you, mom. Thank you for everything.