"Thank you."

"I'm sorry."

"I want to make you proud."

"You're my hero."

"You're so strong."

"I want to be just like you."

"Your love for me is unconditional."

"I trust you."

"I love you."

I don't think I've actually said most of these phrases to my mom in person. The relationship between me and my mom was never the greatest but coming to college was a huge reality check: I'm here receiving an education and pursuing my dreams because of the sacrifices she made for me. While her "harsh" stereotypical Asian parenting style had always frustrated me throughout high school, I'm now at Tufts, and I wonder if I could have made it here if she hadn't worried so much about my grades (probably more than I did sometimes).

A few weeks ago, I had felt homesick, so I decided to call home.

"Hello?"

"Hi mom."

"...Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you."

"Really?!"

My mom seemed happily shocked - I was shocked at my response too. I always used to get annoyed at any texts or calls I received from her but today, I just really wanted to talk to her, hear her voice, and ask her how she was doing.

Maybe with more time and some maturation, I'll be able to say all of those phrases to her without hesitation or embarrassment.