It's fair to say that in high school mostly everyone argues with their mom on a weekly basis. You wanted to be independent and do and wear whatever you wanted, and she just wanted you to stay her little girl for a little longer. In hindsight, the arguments seem almost laughable, and the days when you sat in your room or went out with friends over being upset are some of your biggest regrets.
Now being in college and away from your mom for the first time, you realize how much you truly need and miss her. It sucks studying without her coming in with tea and snacks. It sucks not having her homemade cooking every night. And it really sucks not having her be there to comfort you when a boy or grade or friend makes you upset. But somehow, even though you're apart, your mom easily becomes your best friend in college. Here's why:
1. You finally learn to appreciate all she did for you.
It's weird going through every day life without your mom there to help you out when you need it. From simple things like doing your laundry or making your dinner, to the bigger things like running to the store at 5 a.m. to get printer paper to turn in your project in the morning or shopping with you for six hours before a dance (now formals or semi-formals). It's hard doing everything on your own, and without her there to help you, you really realize and appreciate how much she did and still does for you after all those years. Now more than ever, you find yourself calling her and thanking her a little more often then you used to when you took advantage of how easy you had it and how hard she worked for you.
2. You can trust her with anything.
It can take a while for you to trust someone completely with anything, and with college you have to start building trust with your best friends from the ground up, which, at first, can be hard to do. But your mom is and always has been there for you, and you know you can trust her with anything. From venting about classes, boys and friends alike, she's always there for you and you can always trust she has your best interest at heart.
3. She gives the best advice.
Moms know everything and somehow, even though I hate to admit it, they're always right. They know that you will eventually get the grade you wanted in a tough course. They know that the boy who broke your heart was no good from the start. They know that the friend that ended up being more rude than nice was never going to matter anyway. And, most importantly, moms are always there to tell you that everything will be OK. Moms give the best advice no matter if you want to hear it or not, and in college I've learned it's definitely best to live off of her words.
4. You miss her (low-key all the time).
Yes, in high school her constant nagging and to-do lists were annoying. As was the early curfew, monitoring of clothes and constant texts asking where you were. But in college, you eventually miss it (just a little). You miss her being there to zip up your dress. You miss her asking about your day as soon she comes home. You miss her always being there for a movie and junk food night if you wanted to just veg out. And, most importantly, you miss her always being there to calm you down and make you feel better. As childish and needy as it sounds, sometimes you just need your mom. So constant texts and daily FaceTimes and calls are a must.
5. She loves you no matter what.
No matter how badly you bombed your exam or what things you said when you had a little too much to drink (Mom, that rarely ever happens), she's always there for you and will always love you. It's as simple as that.
So thank you to my mom for dealing with me throughout my hormonal high school years of too much makeup and too much drama. I'm so happy we are so much closer now and wouldn't want anyone else as my best friend. Thanks for helping me make it through the year with minimal breakdowns and only a few anxiety attacks.
