After leaving home and living on my own, I realized how important my childhood was in shaping the person I am today. I am fiercely independent, but I am that way because my mother taught me how to be. As I spent more and more time out of my childhood home, I realized how often I heard my mother’s voice in my head. Growing up, all the lessons I learned often went unnoticed, but now that she isn’t there constantly teaching me, I have grown to appreciate all that I learned. Life is hard, growing up is hard, and I am so thankful my mom was always there to make it a little easier.

She taught me more than I will ever be able to say thank you for.

She taught me to take up space -- to be as loud and as chaotic and as much as I can be. To never conform to the idea that women are supposed to be less.

She taught me to do small things with great passion, and that changing the world starts with changing little things at a local level.

She taught me that you can literally put anything into a crock pot and turn it into a meal.

She taught me that being beautiful has absolutely nothing to do with the way you look.

She taught me that family comes first, and that your family isn’t just made up of the people who you’re related to, but rather a giant tribe of everyone who cares about you.

She taught me that good food is important, but it is more important to be in good company -- settle for the low-quality Chinese food place if it means everyone can come and eat together.

She taught me that laughter is the best medicine and that “life really doesn’t suck.”

She taught me that it’s OK to not know how to sew, because there isn’t a single thing grandma can’t fix.

She taught me that knowing how to bake a birthday cake is never going to be as important as it is to always show up for the birthday party.

She taught me to always try and make other people feel special (especially on their birthdays).

She taught me that it is important to be assertive; when you know what you want, go get it. You can do anything you set your mind to.

She taught me that it is important to invest in people. Chase them, love them, tell them how you feel about them, mean it every single time you say “I love you.” Life is too short to not be authentic with your intentions. Loving wildly, and with no sense of caution, is the best way to love.

She taught me that for every person that will hurt you, there will be 10 more that will love you. Don’t be afraid of getting hurt -- it is the best way to learn how strong you are.

She taught me that there is nothing that a cold drink and a good laugh can’t make better, and that giving 100 percent to the things you love is always a good idea.

She taught me that this world is big and full of so many vibrant people, and I should always try and make friends wherever I go.

She taught me that I should never stop asking for more.

She taught me that it is important to always make room for the things I love and the people I love, because at the end of the day, your relationships are the most important things in your life.

She taught me that it is OK to be a little crazy -- all the best people are.

She taught me that it is OK to get mad at dumb drivers on the freeway. (Just keep your windows up when you’re yelling at them.)

She taught me that no matter how many people I meet in this world, nobody will love me as unconditionally as my mother.

No matter where I go, she will always be my greatest supporter, because of all the things she’s great at, the best is how she loves.