Mom,

Growing up, you never had time for the bullsh*t. In fact, you still don't. You were too busy making a living for us, taking care of our family, and going to school so we could have a better life. You never were the type to pry when I was in a bad mood, get involved in friend fights or even volunteer at the elementary school holiday parties. I know you feel like a bad mo sometimes because you can't be there for us as much as you'd like to be.

But you're not. In fact, you're the best type of mom there is.

Remember when I wanted to drop out of (insert activity that your mom paid for here) and you forced me to stick with it? I was annoyed, but in the end, I got so much out of it. How many 17-year-olds get to say they've played in an orchestra at the Grand Ole Opry or Disney World?

You taught me how to push through the downfalls and thrive in the light of success. Thank you.

When I said some mean things to some girls on Facebook (I'm cringing at middle school me too, don't worry), you literally dragged me across the house by my ponytail. While this was extremely painful, you can bet I learned my lesson the first time.

In today's society, where people believe flicking your child is "child abuse," we're seeing more and more of people that think their sh*t doesn't stink.

You showed me that my sh*t does, indeed, stink. Thank you.

Being busy with work and school usually meant we had to fend for ourselves when it came to cooking, cleaning and making sure we were getting homework and extracurriculars taken care of on our own. Luckily, all of that being on my own made me extremely independent, and while I still depend on you fiscally because college sucks every breath out of my body and bank account, I'll never have to bring my laundry home for you to do or ask you to schedule a doctors appointment for me.

Thank you.

While I've certainly felt like the world was against me because I didn't always have someone to help me out with simple, everyday tasks, in the end, your "mean" attitude made me the woman I am today. I am doing well in school, I claimed responsibility for (and paid - sigh) my parking ticket (I hate you, Parking Services), I got a job on campus, I joined a sorority, I hold executive chair positions in two organizations on campus, and I'm overall loving life.

Thanks to you.

Mom, I can't thank you enough for being mean to me growing up.

I love you more than words can describe.