Mothers are the superheroes of this world. They are the battling, struggling through things we can’t imagine and still coming out on top as the strongest females to walk this earth. They put their children first, no matter what is going on. They worry (sometimes more than they need to) because that’s just how they’re wired. Moms know when something is wrong, even before you start to tell them. They want the very best for you and your happiness has and always will come first. Great moms are role models, best friends, confidants, shoulders to lean on, counselors and someone who is there for you, no matter what. I am proud and lucky to say that I have an amazing one.

When I think of the strongest person in my world, my mom is my first thought. She has mothered three children, all of which turned out great (not biased). She has been in our corners since day one without ever having to be asked. She has fought battles that showed her true strength, even in the midst of a breakdown. No matter how low she gets, she always prevails through the flames, cape flowing and armor shining. She has made mistakes, been beaten down, failed and not known what to do countless times throughout her life, but one thing she did right was be a good mother. Maybe she’s just winging it and maybe every day she wakes up and she just wants to get through the day, but even if that is true, she is truly an inspiration to me.

My mom has always had rules, structure and planted a little sense of fear in all of us. I think that’s part of being a mother. I never wanted her to be the “cool mom” or my best friend growing up. She was a real mom; sometimes tough, not always understood, but always loving. You rebel, fight and cry about how unfair your mom is when you hit certain ages. You think you know everything and you have all the right answers. There are things I don’t understand about being a mom, and I won’t until I become one. One thing that she has taught me, as I look back on the times we didn’t get along, is that we’re all just guessing. We’re all just feeling out this world and making choices with what we’ve got. If all of that has taught me anything, it’s taught me that my best interest was always the first thing on her mind and me liking her for whatever rule she gave me came second. Mom’s aren’t meant to be your friends growing up, they’re meant to give you structure and build you into a strong person. They’re also here to tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing to accept. My mom is blunt, has barely a sliver left of her filter and tells it like it is. To some, that may be annoying, rude or might feel like she needs to mind her own business, but I grew up and turned into the same blunt, honest person, so I’m okay with it.

Looking at where I am in my life right now, all I’ve been through and the decisions I’ve had to make thus far, I have no idea where I’d be without her. She has been at the top with me through graduations, accomplishments and awards. She has read every article, story or blurb that I’ve wrote and has been published. She has looked through countless pictures of my photography, reminding me how great I am. She is my confidence when I’m lacking, my spirit when I’m fading and my clear mind when I’m clouded. She is the voice of reason and my biggest fan. She is the first person I call when something bad or great happened. To say I’m grateful and blessed is an understatement.

Although mistakes and failed attempts are negative acts, they have been lessons to me that I am grateful for. My mom has lived a life with many moments of struggle so that she can help me get through mine. She has faced more than I can imagine, but she still smiles, laughs and enjoys life more than most. Like my favorite superhero, my mom has no powers. She does the best with what she has and conquers life head on. She may not think it all the time, but she has strength that I envy. It doesn’t matter what life throws at you, what brings you down or makes you cry, it’s how you get back up, accept things for what they are, move on from the things you cannot change and how you prevail when the battle has ended. That’s strength and that’s what my mom has taught me.

My mom taught me what unconditional love is and how to give it to someone else. She has taught me to be myself and never be ashamed of that. She has taught me things I can only dream to pass down to a daughter that I might have some day. I thank her for the countless hours we’ve spent talking about life throughout the day and her helping me through some pretty big moments in my life. I am happy to share the moments of searching through wedding dresses (although I am not planning a wedding) and the hours of TLC and HGTV we have watched. She is my shopping partner (the only one I can stand), my rock, my political debater, my car sing-a-long friend and most importantly my mom and my best friend. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for her and all that she does for me and my siblings. I can say thank you for everything, every day and it still will not be enough. If you’ve got a mom like mine, I consider you one of the lucky ones.

I love you mom, never change.