This article is a thank you to all of the mothers out there who have been your child's rock since day one. I was lucky enough to have an amazing woman to look up to my entire life, and I cannot thank her enough. Thank you to all the mothers who have set a great example for their child(ren) to look up to, and never question whether or not they are loved.

1. Being there from day one.

After all of the pain I put you through throughout the hours and hours of labor, you still chose to love me unconditionally when I made my arrival. You have not left my side since then; standing strong beside me even when I was a moody teen who thought the world was going to end on a daily basis according to my meltdowns.

2. The great genes.

You are beautiful, Mom, in every way -- inside and out. I am so thankful when somebody says, “You look just like your mom.” I hope to grow up and look just like you, I mean I don’t know too many people rocking your hairstyle and you do it beautifully. In my eyes, you are flawless; you have been as long as I can remember. Aside from outside, I aspire to be as beautiful as you on the inside. You are a loving, passionate, caring individual; the best mom I could have ever asked for.

3. Raising me right.

You lead through example. You may have had some verbal lessons telling me how I should and should not behave, but I learned most watching you. You have always displayed selflessness and determination; proving to be an amazing role model throughout my entire upbringing.

4. Telling me when I was wrong.

I needed to be told, even if I did not agree at the time. You weren’t afraid to tell me when I was making the wrong decision with boys, with friends, with purchases, with random dogs I would bring home, and anything else in between. You have always looked out for the best for me, and even though I fought you about it at the time, I now see why.

5. Finding everything.

It does not matter what is lost, you find it. I look for hours, and you come home and find whatever it is within 10 minutes; I will never understand this superpower. I mean, you once found my matching sock under the couch -- the first place you looked; I’m still baffled.

6. Being worried every single day.

I know I act annoyed when I get your texts, “Where are you? What are you doing? Have you seen your sister? But I secretly love that you care that much. I know you get a better sleep when we are all home under one roof, but being that I am in college this isn’t usually possible. I’m sorry for the weekends I keep you up waiting for a response because I lost my phone or just haven’t looked at it the past couple of hours. I love that I will always be “your little girl” who you are keeping tabs on, on a bi-hourly basis.

7. Being my hairdresser and makeup artist.

In high school, especially when it was time for homecoming or prom, thank you for coming in clutch. I know I was very dramatic before these events because everything had to be just right and it usually wasn’t, but you always fixed it and made sure I was happy before sending me off to the event. For example, that one time I got back from the hairdresser and she put a rat’s nest on top of my head with a couple braids flowing into it, and I came home sobbing. You were there to tell me everything was going to be all right, and you fixed it within the next half hour so I wouldn’t be late to get to my date's house because -- well, we all know that would’ve caused another sobbing episode. My sisters and I learned from that episode and have asked you to do our hair ever since, and you’ve done it better than any hairdresser I’ve been to.

8. Putting me before you.

You provide me with everything I have ever wanted, and always feel bad about spoiling yourself. Don’t. You deserve the world, and I wish I could give it to you but being a broke college student, it’s not quite possible at this point in time. Spoil yourself more. If you want that expensive ring, you go get that expensive ring and do not think about what you could have bought me or my siblings with that money. Your selflessness is something I will forever admire and should thank you for more often.

9. Keeping my secrets.

I put you in a couple tough situations (the “keep this from Dad” secrets) but you are on my side. I’m sorry for putting you in these situations to begin with (speeding tickets, tattoos, boyfriends, etc.). I want to thank you for being my best friend and keeping these secrets though. Thank you for seeing all of my dark and loving me anyway.

10. Being my number one fan.

For this, I cannot thank you enough. Throughout college, I have played basketball and you were at every game (except the ones requiring a seven-hour drive. Hell, I didn’t even want to go to those). Not only are you my number one sports fan, but even better, you are my number one fan when it comes to academics, too. I tell you every test score and you congratulate on doing well or encourage me to do better. You brag about my accomplishments on and off the court, and make me feel so special every day. You were even at my comprehensive exam celebration, the biggest exam one must take at my college. You are there for me every minute of every day, and for that, I will never be able to thank you enough. I love you, Mom.