My mother is my best friend. Growing up an only child I gained a great friendship with her. She has always been there for me whenever I have needed her. My mom has taught me so many different life lessons and I am going to share a few with you:

1. How to be a good mother

One of the most valuable life lessons my mother has taught me is how to be a good mother. She has been such an amazing mom. Even though I was too young to understand, I knew most of the time she went without so I could be provided with certain things I needed or wanted. She feels that as long as she has a home, so will I, regardless of how old I am or what is happening in my life.

2. Patience

I admire how patient my mother is. There are many situations in which my mom could have screamed at me for some of the things I had done, but she did not. She was calm and patient with me. She has never raised her voice at me or anyone else (at least while I was around).

3. Don't judge others - even if you know the whole story

In the end, you really do not know the whole story. Growing up I tended to be a know-it-all. I soon realized that I really did not know the whole story. I would open my mouth easily and that would end up getting me in trouble. I am not perfect, and neither is anyone else; I am clearly never in a place to judge others. My mother hides behind chronic pain and many would never know unless they had the chance to sit down and actually discuss that with her and what it is all about.

4. Pursue your dreams

My mom has always told me to pursue my dreams. She finished massage therapy school and was wanting to go on to be a physical therapist but was working numerous jobs and could not go back to school. She has wanted me to dream big and go after anything that I want. For me, that was being a physical therapist. However, I slowly realized that was not the path I wanted to take and changed my major to Clinical Exercise Physiology. My mother being her supportive self, absolutely loved that I was willing to change my major and go after something that I had a stronger passion for.

5. Family pride

Sometimes to an extreme. My mom was always in the stands cheering me on. She came to all my games, concerts and competitions. Any sport I was in that she could coach, she did. She always makes it known that she will be there for me because we are family. My mom talks on the phones to her friends and just boasts about everything I have accomplished. I love being able to make my mom proud.

6. Always speak my mind

The queen of candor you are. It is fascinating to watch you say exactly what you mean – to anyone and everyone – while maintaining composure and compassion. You never step down from any situation, and you always make your voice heard.

There is no way to put a price tag on a mother's love or to measure her value. The mother is like the anchor in a family. She keeps us stable and in place. I have learned numerous life lessons and I want to say thank you for teaching me how to always be myself. I love you mom!