My mom was a young mother. She had my older sister when she was 19 years old, and she had me when she was 22. She has always looked young for her age, and that definitely hasn't changed. When she tells people she is *spoiler* 43 years old, no one seems to believe her. Then when they find out she has 23-year-old and 20-year-old daughters they all ask the same question: "How old were you when you had them?!" It's like they can't believe she is a day over 30. Trust me, if it were up to her, she would say she was 35 years old for the rest of her life.
When people see my mom and me together, they can automatically tell we are related, but they aren't sure how. They first think we must be sisters because my mom doesn't look old enough to actually be my mom. On rare occasions, we just go along with it and let people believe we are sisters. We are close to the same size and height, we can sometimes wear each other's clothes, and we have close to the same personality. I can see how people wouldn't think we are mother and daughter at first glance.
My mom was only 22 years old when she had me. Nowadays, it doesn't seem abnormal for a 22-year-old to have 2 children, but back in 1995, that was a little different. She was young and had barely had any time to figure out who she was as a person, let alone figure out how to raise two little girls. But let me tell you something, she did a great job.
My mom and I might have 22 years between us, but she is one of my best friends. She has been there for me through everything, we joke around, take trips together, she is my go-to concert buddy, we watch NASCAR together, and she is one person I always call when something big happens in my life. Sometimes we do act like sisters, but then she tells me what to do, and I am reminded that I have to listen because she's my mom, therefore she is in charge.
Whether people think we are mother and daughter, or sisters, I know one thing we can tell them that will always be true: we are best friends. That will never change, no matter if we fight, whether we move far away from one another, no matter what, we will always be there for one another. Yes, we are mother and daughter, but more importantly we are best friends who will drive all night to Arkansas to see a Luke Bryan concert, we will stay up at night watching NASCAR, and we will text each other throughout the day when we are bored at work and school. So Mommy, I just want to let you know I love you, I look up to you, and I will always be here for you when boys are being stupid.
