Everyone has that one person, or maybe more than one person, in their lives that they can always rely on. The person who has been there since day one and always had your back. Or maybe it was the person who held your hand during what felt like your darkest moments. That person for me was always especially close to home and was the same woman I called my mom. Most of the earliest memories I can think of were us watching Disney movies, going to the local fairs together, and searching for those vibrant eggs during Easter egg hunts. But some memories are more prominent than others.

When I reached my elementary school years, she taught me the hard lessons early. One, that the friends I had then, were not always going to be the friends I had in the future. She would sit me down during our long car rides and explain in the best way she could that I did not have to respect the ones who did not respect me back. Two, bullies were just mean people that were going through their own issues and I should never take anything they say to heart because it just was not true. When I came home crying from mean words a girl in class had said to me, she took me on a spontaneous shopping trip until I no longer felt bad about myself and the hurtful words.

Moms will always be there for you when you need them. In junior high, she hugged me tightly when I learned the hard lesson about friends who will not always be friends the hard way, after a school dance that hadn't gone as planned. She encouraged me to make new friends, even though I was more terrified than ever before. I didn't want to make new friends because I just kept wishing for the old ones back.

But she continued to push me because she knew it was what I needed in order to be happy. Not a few weeks later, I realized she was right. I made two new friends that I have to this day that I wouldn't change for the world. All because she kept insisting I break from my comfort zone and move on from the past. High school years came on quickly and when I started dating, she always reminded me I could always continue to talk to her. No matter what it was about or how scared I would be, she would always listen with an open mind.

My mother has been there for me through thick and thin. She has sacrificed so much for my happiness and she has done so much more to make sure I grew up to be a mature and well-respected adult. If you have a mother that you never want to lose, turn to her and thank her for all her hard work and love. Let her know every day how much she is appreciated. My mother gave me the best example of what a friend should be like and I know she will always be mine.

Thank you, Mom.