Since my mom turned forty, we stopped counting her actual age--except when we go to The Rusty Nail to claim her age in wings to share. No matter what age my mom has turned throughout the years, she has stayed the same woman I was lucky to grow up with as a role model. On her birthday, here is a list of things that I love about the woman who grows more beautiful every day: my mom.

1. Her eyes

Of course, most of you have not seen my mother's eyes, but if you have, you are a lucky person. Her eyes are brown that change in different lighting, ranging from orange hues to green. My mom and I are told almost weekly that we look scarily similar, but I think most of it has to do with the same shape that she gifted me with. She is also the reason I learned to do my eyeliner, which is definitely something I needed to learn.

2. Her listening ears

My mom's ears are covered in earrings, and I believe this is where my love of piercings was born. But her physical ears don't matter so much as for what they symbolize. My mom will listen to just about anything that I have to say, at any hour. Even if I don't always realize it, she enjoys my pessimistic rants that I call her with while at school.

3. Her always-having-an-extra anything

Whether something as simple as Wintergreen mints or more specific things like iPhone chargers or tweezers, my mom has it in her purse. There's no wonder why her purse is so heavy; it's got everything! I'm grateful she lugs around the glorified bowling ball just to make sure we have anything we could ever need.

4. Her coffee cake

Seriously, you have not lived until you have had my mom's coffee cake. Some might call it a "Cinnabon" cake, others a "Crumb cake," but regardless of the name, it is delicious. The secret is in the recipe, but please don't ask me because I have been sworn to secrecy.

5. Her real laugh

It is a nice surprise when my mom lets out her real laugh. Usually, it is to an inappropriate comedy (Bad Moms, Sisters, etc.) or when my dad makes a fool of himself, but her joy is more enjoyable than anything funny.

6. Her silly Snapchats

My mom loves the Snapchat filters. Her favorite was the dancing bee, if anyone can remember that. When I was young and foolish, I thought my mom got Snapchat simply to "spy on me." Now, being away from home has made me appreciate her silly photos. So yes, I am a girl who has her mom on her best friend's list from time to time, but I am okay with it.

7. Her openness

I really value that my mom and I have such an open relationship. While sometimes we might use this to each other's advantage in an argument, our personal talks are way more important than an argument about not bringing my laundry upstairs.

8. Her support

My mom is the most supportive woman out there, period. In elementary school, my mom was a homeroom mom, lunch mom, PTA member, and Founder's Day Award recipient for her commitments to the school. In middle school and high school, she became a full-time crew mom and fundraising committee member for my crew team. She has shown her support through these efforts, but most importantly by just being a shoulder to lean on anytime I could ever need it.

9. Her strength

My mom has been through a lot, period. No, you gossip-lovers won't get any details, but trust me when I tell you this woman has been through a great deal of adversity throughout her life. I admire her strength and continuous fight to move forward from the wrongs that have been done to her.

10. The way she loves

I like to think that I love like my mom does, which is entirely out of selflessness. My mom would do anything for those she loves, which is scary for those who wrong her loved ones. Watch out, wrongdoers. She is protective of her loved ones, her kids especially. She loves her loved ones more than any selfish need and would give up just about anything for them.

Happy birthday, Mom!