Growing up, I always wanted to be something great. When I was in 3rd grade, I wanted to be a chef. When I was in 7th grade, I wanted to be a doctor. When I graduated high school, I wanted to be a criminal psychologist. Now, I have just finished my freshman year of college where I changed my major and minor from psychology and criminology to mass media communications and journalism.

While I struggled for almost 4 months wondering, what do I want to do when I grow up? I couldn't help but seek advice from my mom. I would bug her on my way to my 9am class or while I was laying in bed at 11:30pm and she never seemed to mind. I would ask the same questions over and over like, "should I work with criminals or maybe kids?" Her answer was always anything except criminals. I would even throw out crazy ideas like, "maybe I could major in business and economics," knowing good and well, math was not my friend. While I went through one of the hardest decisions of my life almost 2 hours away from my mom, it made me realize something; no matter what I major or minor in, I want to be like my mom when I grow up and here's 10 reasons why:

1. She gives me the love I don't always deserve.

We've all had that time when we text our friends after an argument with our parents and we say, "OMG I CAN'T WAIT TO MOVE OUT OF THIS HOUSE." While that was me majority of my high school career, my mom always knew how to make the "silent treatment" disappear (aka taking me to my favorite Hibachi restaurant). Thanks for keeping me well-fed and making me finish out a sports season instead of quitting in the middle, even when I was the biggest brat about it.

2. She taught me independence.

Everyone who knows me, knows I am independent and some may even say hard-headed (which I owe all to my mother.) My mom taught me to never rely on another person for happiness or money. I've noticed some men, or even some women, find independence intimidating which used to make me want to dull myself, but you, Mom, show me why I should embrace it even more. You showed me how to unapologetically love myself.

3. Her fashion sense is BOMB for a 40 year old.

I know, I know, you're going to yell at me for stealing your shoes... again. She showed me that cheetah print is never a bad idea and it's not a bad thing to be the best dressed in the room. I always look forward to our "quick stops by the mall."

4. She encourages me to face my fears, follow my dreams and get out of my comfort zone.

I always dreamed of going to a big college. This past year I did just that and at first, I hated it. While I begged her to let me come home, my mom told me to stick it out. And that is the best thing I've ever done. I gained some of my best friends, became more mature, and it has allowed me to see some of the coolest and most inspiring things the world has to offer.

5. She raised me on the best "Throwback" playlist ever made.

According to all my friends, Spotify followers and queen Kym herself, my "Throwback" playlist is about five hours of back to back hits from the early 2000's. Thanks for making me cultured at a young age. I can't wait to see Nelly sing "Grillz" live this year.

6. She is self-made.

While she co-owns two businesses, created from nothing, she tells me stories of how I was not born into money and our family is not rich. I was never raised entitled or with a "too good" for anything attitude. She has shown me that working for what you have is way better than just being handed something.

7. She raised her kids to be respectful.

You always say "please" and "thank you." You hold the door for others, even if it makes you a couple people behind. When people are spiteful or hateful, sometimes you just have to turn the other cheek. Apologizing when you're wrong doesn't make you weak and neither does forgiveness. You don't sass any adult, no matter what. And lastly, you always give up your seat for your elders.

8. She loves me despite my mistakes.

Remember how I said a lot of my time in high school was spent arguing with my mom? Well, I was probably being an irresponsible teenager and she was just looking out for me, but of course... I didn't listen. I'm sorry for all the nights I made you drink an extra glass of wine.

9. She listens to me rant, vent and gossip.

My mom gives me a shoulder to cry on when I stop being friends with someone or when my boyfriend breaks up with me (or sets firecrackers off on our porch.) She lets me talk as fast as I want when I complain about my teacher not rounding my grade up. But mostly, she makes me feel comfortable enough to come to her and tell her the truth about my friends, boys or life issues.

10. Sometimes she is my biggest headache, but she supports and encourages me to be the best version of myself.

My senior year of high school was the hardest years of my life. There were many changes with my family, I stopped being friends with some people who I considered "forever friends" and I was about to leave everything I've ever known to go to college. I was scared and sad. I became depressed and anxiety ridden. I had no desire to do anything I used to love doing or leave my house. While I know this was hard for everyone around me, I knew it was especially hard for my mom. I noticed she began to do little things like making sure to ask how my day was or seeing if I wanted to just hangout and watch TV with her. She supported me in my time of need when I felt lost and hopeless. She put her own problems aside to help with mine. She encouraged me to become all that I used to be and more.