My friends who know my mom know of her compassion, sense of humor, amazing cooking skills and the ability to make any dark storm seem to have a sense of light in it. I have had my mom as my mom for 20 years and I couldn't even imagine a better mother. There are many things I learned from having a tough mom.

These are 10 of the things I have learned:

1. She will never stop being my mom to be my friend.

This is so important, my mom has always said she will never be my friend because she is my mom. Now that I'm 20 we have a much better relationship since I have matured, however as a kid she was never the "best friend" she was always my mom.

2. She can be tough as nails but has the softest heart.

My mom can be hard core and prides the "mean mom" title. Whenever I wanted to do something I shouldn't she would say no and I would call her a mean mom, she'd smile and say she didn't mind that title. With skinned knees and a broken heart she has always had a soft heart for being there for me and my sister. When I had my first broken heart I didn't think I'd ever recover. She helped me deal with the pain and helped me learn how to move on.

3. Sometimes she turns into Madea but I love her anyway.

When she gets angry she's angry for a reason. She hates liars and people who hurt her kids, and if you fuck her over. She can be the nicest person, but once you cross the line she will turn into Madea.

4. Whenever I wanted to stay home from school if I wasn't sick she would make me go to school.

I resented this all through High School, when I wasn't sick I had to go to. The plus side to this was she allowed me to go to Tiger games, and miss on days that were snowing where I would have to go between buildings for classes.

5. She will do anything to protect her kids.

My mom will do anything to protect my sister and I. She will go to the greatest length to make sure we are safe

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6. Fights with her means she will always win.

No matter what when I fight with her I have learned to walk away because I will never win. Regardless if I try to act tough I almost always end up in tears during fights. I have learned how to walk away when I should.

7. She has influenced me to love myself despite the number on the scale.

When I was a fat 10 year old who hated the fat I had she loved me, when I was a stick figure she loved me, regardless of my body shape and size it takes on she continues to love me by looking past it and has allowed me to love someone else as well as myself despite looking on my scale.

8. She has always been there to give fashion sense.

Whenever I have gone shopping with her she gives me fashion advice and makes it obvious if she hates the outfit. I joke by saying when I try on wedding dresses it will be interesting since her and my sister aren't afraid to be brutally honest.

9. She is always the first to give me compliments and congratulate me when I have done well.

My mom is never afraid to tell me when I have done a good job and will always tell me when I have succeed in something. When I made the honor roll in college she was proud of me beyond belief.

10. She has taught me the love of the game.

My mom worked at Tiger Stadium and she has shared her passion of the Tigers with me. My mom taught me everything about the players, will yell at the TV with me during games and enjoys going to the games as much as I do. We both love the same players especially Miguel Cabrera.