Moms are pretty great. They carry us around for nine months and and then drive us around for 18 long years. They feed us, take care of us when we're sick, and somehow, find the space in their hearts to love us...no matter how annoying/worrying/expensive/strange we can be. If there's one thing we can never do enough, it's appreciate our moms (and remind them that we do). Whether you and your mom are the dynamic Lorelai/Rory duo or simply two ladies with a lot of love in your hearts for each other, here are 10 things to tell her today:

Dear Mom,

1. I love you.

Hopefully this one isn't too surprising. After all, you fed me, clothed me, put up with my nonsense and are still waiting on the day you'll regain your sanity from such a traumatic experience...so, it's the least I can do to remind you of these three little words every now and then.

2. You may not want to be my friend, but you are.

Two words: Too. Bad. That's right. You spent more than 20 years telling me you weren't here to be my friend, but my mom. And that was cool. I respect it. Now though, I'm practically out of the house and I've got a tattoo...so I think we should be friends, too. Cool? Cool.

3. You were right.

Still can't believe I just said that one. It kinda hurts a little...but I'll get over it. So there, you were right. About everything. Even the stuff that hasn't happened yet. Blah, blah, blah, congratulations. Oh...and thanks.

4. I hear you.

I won't drink and drive, I won't elope, I won't drop out of college, I won't do drugs, I won't get my nose pierced (not because you said I couldn't, but because you raised me to be self-aware and I know I couldn't pull that off). Everything you have said and done to show me how to be a successful adult seems to have entered my brain and stayed there...weird. Maybe the eye rolls I gave you at the time helped in that process? Not sure.

5. I miss you.

There was a time not too long ago when I couldn't wait to get out of the house, go to college, find a job and live on my own. What was wrong with me? I miss being home, but I think we are closer now than we ever were before. Thanks for being there, even when I'm all the way over here. (Wherever "here" is).

6. You are beautiful.

I know you don't believe it, but it's important for you to hear. You. Are. Beautiful. Inside and out. Now, don't you forget it, young lady!

7. You have never failed me.

Whether I'm calling for advice, to dump all of my problems or frantically explain the 500 million incredible things that all happened in one day (most of which are pretty un-incredible, but thanks for humoring me), you're always there on the other end of the line. Looking back, there has never been a time when you weren't there for me when I needed you. Thanks for that.

8. You're actually funny.

I know. I'm surprised about this one, too. Another thing middle school me never imagined I'd be saying. You've got a...sense of humor? And a good one, at that? Man, I've been missing out!

9. One day, I'll be proud to say I'm "just like my mom".

Even if that means being as strange as Emily Gilmore. Which it probably will. I've pretty much accepted it at this point...you should, too.

10. Oh, and did I mention I love you?

Because I really, really do.