Since March is national women's month, I have done a lot of thinking about what women have influenced me. I think that the majority of women would agree that their mothers have influenced them, whether that influence is a negative or positive one.

Personally, my mom has had a huge, positive, influence on me, even in ways she probably does not even realize. So to all the great mother's out there, this one is for you.

Thank you, mom, for all the times you bandaged up all my scraped knees and skinned elbows. You handled every broken bone, stitch, surgery (and whatever else I have gotten myself into over these 20 years) with confidence and ease. There was never a time I did not feel loved or protected.

Thank you, mom, for wanting what is best for me. You have supported every one of my dreams - big and small - and have always been my biggest advocate.

You seek out opportunities for me and encourage me when I am unsure if I should go for them. You always are there to remind me of the bigger picture when I am bogged down with schoolwork. When I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, you are always there to remind me that it exists. You have alwasy taught me to reach for me moon, but you always kept me humble.

Thank you, mom, for being a parent first, but a best friend second. I am so thankful you did not always give in to my wants and wishes.

You were never afraid to tell me, "no," which prepared me for the real world more than you know. As I have gotten older, life with you has gotten to be so fun. You instilled in me a love of travel and adventure, and you are my favorite vacation-buddy. You laugh at your own corny jokes, which never ceases to make me laugh. You live life zealously and encourage me to do the same.

Thank you, mom, for teaching me to stand up for what I believe in. You taught me to always be able to back up my beliefs, and to get the full story.

You are a progressive thinker in a conservative environment, and you encouraged me to do the same. You listened to me, and you allowed me to form my own opinions, whether or not they paralleled your own. My individuality was always embraced, and you never made me feel different. I learned how to stand up for myself by watching you stand up for me.

You are the one I watched to learn how to become a woman. Everything that you do, I either adopted it myself, or it influenced my own beliefs or mannerisms. This Women's Month goes out to you, mom. Thank you for being the awesome woman you are, and for helping shape the woman that I am.