Mom,

I've been in college for almost a month now, and to say I miss you is a vast understatement. Though we don't talk every day on the phone, I know that you're always thinking of me, as am I of you. Sometimes, I sit back and wonder how I made it this far without you. I always used to joke that you were my impulse control.

I guess you could say college has matured me. I've become good at time management and cleaning, all the things you used to do for me. The lack of you in my life has made me realize how alike we are. Ironically, I am a clean freak. I definitely got that from you. As I move about life, I find myself doing little things you used to do, and somehow it makes me feel closer to you.

I hate being away from you. I hate that you aren't always immediately accessible. I hate that I can't waltz into your bedroom in a giant t-shirt and underwear and rant to you about boys, only for you to tell me to stop obsessing about boys and focus on my grades.

To be honest, I feel really disconnected. I feel like everyone back home is moving on without me as if I had never even existed. But I know that in your heart, that is not the case.

Please don't stop sending me memes, or random texts that say "I love you," because they remind me that no matter how alone I feel, I still matter to you. I remember once, in Disney World, you told me I was going to like being an adult rather than a kid, and I don't think you were wrong, but I hate that you're not here to witness it all with me.

Your (favorite) daughter,

Mary Beth