I have always been the “mom” friend. I have never shied away from the fact that I have an incurable need to take care of everyone around me. I get it from my own mother, who got it from her mother and so on. Here’s the thing though- I really don’t mind.

I don’t begrudgingly go out with my friends even if I don’t feel like it just to take care of them, nor would they ever ask me to do that. I willingly go out, knowing in the back of my mind that it’ll probably be up to me at the end of the night to calm a tipsy, broken heart or help someone up the Everest-like stairs to their apartment.

Surprisingly enough, I really don’t mind doing these things. Sure, I like to have my own fun, but I really never miss out on anything. When the time comes to tie up the loose ends of a long night, the fun has already been had and everyone is ready to wind down anyway.

Being the mom friend isn’t a chore. I️t doesn’t unnerve me or keep me from living my best life. I️t actually gives me a sense of purpose. No, it’s not my only sense of purpose or one of the top ones, but it feels good to be needed by the friends that I know I️ myself couldn’t live without. I never wake up without a thank you text or a “I love you” on my phone the next day. Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter.

Because I know that they would all do the same for me- and they have. Maybe not in these same ways, but in so many others. In all of the reassurances about all of the things I get nervous about (which are a lot), all of the support for simply being myself, and an ear to listen about anything and everything that is plaguing my mind- my friends are there.

So, yes, I’m happy to be the mom friend, and I’m pretty sure my friends are happy about it too.