I've learned a lot in my 19 years. From learning how to walk or talk, to learning how to read, learning how to sing, swim, dance, drive, do the dishes, do my own laundry, make my bed, manage money (still working on that one...), how to eat well (also still working on that one...), do my hair, put on makeup, put together clothes that match, and successfully live semi on my own (also still working on that). The one thing that all of these have in common? I didn't learn them from a teacher, or a textbook, or by practicing-okay maybe driving and putting on makeup-, but I learned them from my Mom. And if she didn't teach me directly, she had a huge hand in getting someone to help me learn. And while I'm grateful for the trivial things that she taught me, like how to fold a shirt so there won't be any wrinkles, or how to wrap a present, I'm more grateful for the things that she taught me that have shaped me as a person. So here are the five best things I got from my mama (that was a bad joke so I guess not my sense of humor). And a very happy birthday to the only person I'll truly ever need. Love you as much as the sky never ends.

1. Be kind to everyone.

Tim McGraw may have sung about always staying 'Humble and Kind', but mom said it first. Ever since I was a little girl, Mom has always been telling me to be kind to everyone. To be nice to everyone, and to smile at everyone. You never really know what someone's going through, and that small act of kindness could go a long way. My mother is the kindest person I know, and I believe that every ounce of kindness in me comes from her. From always putting others before herself, to doing the small acts that really do make people happy, to treating people better than they deserve, her heart is as big as the Atlantic and the Pacific put together. There's not a day that goes by that she isn't being selfless, putting others before her, even if there are days she shouldn't be. And even when people don't deserve it (me when I'm being a brat), she is still the kindest woman I'll ever know. Every kind thing I've ever done for anyone, I've done because of her and with her in mind. So thank you Mom, for teaching me how to be kind and the importance of being kind-because without kindness-especially your kindness, the world would be a little colder than it can be.

2. Don't leave dishes in the sink.

My least favorite part about being home is that I can never get away with just leaving my clothes on the floor or dishes in the sink when the sink is empty. So not only has my mom taught me the importance of picking up after myself, but she's taught me the importance of never leaving something incomplete, or doing something half heartily. If you're going to cook a meal and eat it, follow through by cleaning up too. Mom taught me to never start something without the intention of not finishing it. If you're going to write a paper, finish the paper. If you're going to start a friendship, stick with it until the very end. If you're going to try something new, stick with it, don't quit halfway. Mom always does things with her whole heart, if she's going to throw a dinner party for five people, she'll cook for ten. If she's going to go out of her way to pick someone up from the airport, she'll bring food along with her. Everything she does, she does with her whole heart and then some, and I'm so grateful she taught me this as well. No matter what she's doing, who she's doing it for (because it's never for herself), she gives it 200%. Thank you for this lesson Mom, wouldn't have wanted to learn it from anyone else.

3. Be brave.

I'm not sure how many times I'll be able to say this, but my mom is the bravest person I know. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't strive to be as brave as she is and has been since the time she was a little girl. She's taught me that though it might not always suit you, it's better to put on the bravest face you can muster and tough it through. It's okay to ask for help, but it's not okay to use illnesses or tough times as a crutch. I've never once, seen my mom let anything stop her. She fights, and she pushes through and she'll be the one with tears in her eyes but a smile on her mouth. I love her endlessly for her strength and bravery. She's taught me that there are some days where you're going to have to tough it up, to not give up, and to not let anything stand in the way of achieving what you want. But she's also taught me that sometimes you will get knocked down, and it will be hard and it will hurt. And in those moments, her bravery has been more prevalent than ever. She taught me that in those moments, that's when you need to be the bravest. You have to get up and face your problems, and walk through the storm head on-she does this every day. Would not have wanted this lesson from anyone else, thank you, Mom.

4. Laugh at yourself and have fun.

I love to make jokes and laugh, but not always at myself. Mom on the other hand, will make jokes about anything and everything about her, and laughs at anything she can. If you know her and know her well, you know that there are some things she wouldn't have been able to get through the way she did if she couldn't laugh a little about it. So thank you Mom, for making jokes about me and getting mad at me when I got mad at you for it. Thank you for forcing me to start laughing at it, and taking life a little less seriously sometimes, because now I know that without that, I wouldn't have been able to get through some of those times without your laughter at me and with me. Thank you for teaching me the importance of letting go every so often, and having fun. For teaching me that sometimes the happiest you'll be and the most fun you'll be having is when you're sitting around a fire laughing with the people you love. Thank you for giving me the chance to have fun, so you could teach me to have fun. I'd be nowhere without some of those moments and memories. So thank you for not taking life too seriously, and for being able to laugh at yourself.And thank you for being fun-even though sometimes I say you're not the cool mom. It's an important lesson, and I know for a fact that I wouldn't be the cheery, happy girl I am today without it.

5. Love everyone.

There's not a day that goes by that Mom isn't telling me she loves me. Every time she texts me good morning and good night (yes she does this, yes I do it back, no I'm not ashamed) she adds a little 'ily' to the end. My mom has taught me that no matter who it is, what they've done to you and what role they play in your life, give them a little piece of your heart. Everyone deserves to be loved by someone, so why not be that someone? My mom loves everyone she knows-each person may have a different kind of love (like she probably loves the lady who owns the store where I love to shop at for giving her discounts almost every time I go shopping, or the guy at the deli who always gives her the best piece of chicken so I never go hungry and she doesn't have to cook and also so her dog loves her back), but she loves them nonetheless. She has the warmest, most loving, beautiful heart and soul that I know, and I wouldn't have wanted this lesson from anyone else. Thank you for teaching me the importance of loving and being loved. Thank you for teaching me how powerful love is, and most of all thank you for loving me and the rest of the world-even if we don't always deserve it.

I love you as much as the sky never ends and proabably a whole lot more.