Too often we take our parents for granted – especially our moms. When you look back on your childhood and teen years, most of your memories are probably of family vacations you’ve taken, pets you’ve had, friends you used to hang out with… But what about the nights you didn’t feel well, and mom laid with you until you fell asleep, or when she selflessly bought you clothes from Abercrombie that she couldn’t afford just so that you could fit in?

Especially for the CFers out there, mom has been with you through it all to pick you up when you were down, to keep you company during treatments and hospitalizations, and to comfort you in the darkest of times. Even writing this makes me realize how much of a support figure my own mom has been all these years.

Your mom has been a caretaker, support system, and friend to you your whole life, so now I challenge you to be the same for her.

Many people, myself included, don’t take the time to really get to know their mom as a person. I’ll admit that I never really used to confide in my mom or voluntarily spend time with her. But now, as a college student, I have become much more aware of my values and the importance of building and maintaining relationships with people – especially with my mom.

These past several years, I have begun to view my mom as a person outside of her motherly role. I have seen that she has real, valid worries, things that cause her stress and sadness; I have found that there are things she likes to do in her free time, that she appreciates being appreciated, and most importantly, I have seen that she is truly a gift to this world. She is so much more than a great mom – she is an amazing human being and the best role model I could ask for.

We are all extensions of our parents, and so much of who we are is owed to them, and for the purpose of this article, especially our moms. I think if we take some time to really get to know our moms, we will become much more whole in our lives. I say this because years of our lives pass in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, you’ll be wishing you knew more about the woman who played such a major role in making you the person you are today.

Love you, mom.