I am one of the lucky few that can say that my mom was my first best friend, and continues to be even as I get older. That doesn't mean I didn't have close friends growing up, it just simply means that above any one else in my life, my mom was the only one who was always there.

Moms have an interesting job; they spend a good majority of their adult lives trying to make their children into good, decent human beings. This can be tricky because they want what's best for their kids, but a part of them still wants their kids to like them. I bet every mother has heard the phrase 'I hate you' at some point, and as kids, we don't realize how much that can hurt, until were much older.

My mom has worked so hard to raise my brothers and I to be respectful members of our community, while still trying to be liked by us. I can honestly say that my mom and I have a perfect balance. She is able to be my best friend, and my mom, without sacrificing either role.

How is this possible? Well it's a combination of trust and communication. Although my mom has the final say, she trusts me to make decisions for myself. She understands that as a young adult, I need to have freedom and to be independent, but by giving me this freedom it allows me to be honest with her, and to never feel that I have to hide things from her.

Ever since I was little, I always felt I could tell my mom anything without judgment, which is not something I could say about all of my friends growing up. It was easy to tell her things, and she wouldn't punish me anytime I did something wrong, instead we would talk through it and find a solution to the problem, and move on. I then felt like I could continue to go to her with any trouble I had.

My mom is also my biggest support system. Everything I do, she is beyond proud of me, and she definitely boosts me to other people, especially when it comes to music and school. As much as I'll act like I hate when my mom brags, there is a part of me that feels good that she is so proud that I am her daughter, and that she wants everyone to know.

My mom is one of the strongest, most loving women I have ever met in my life. She has gone through so much in her life and she hasn't let anyone or anything ruin her spirit. She inspires me and she is the reason that I have grown up to be the woman I am today. I can't imagine my life without her. My mom was, is, and always will be my best friend.