When I was younger, it would shock people that at the age of 10 I knew that when I grew up I wanted to be a mom, and I wanted to be a kick ass one. She is the woman I have looked up to my entire life. Her strength, grace and beauty were qualities I always knew I wanted but one of the things I loved most about my mom when I was growing up was her unwavering faith. She was always faithful that everything happened for a reason and she very rarely questioned the bad things.

My mom well she's a fighter, one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and I knew that I want to be that kind of role model for my future children. She has always fought for what she thought was right, always had her own views on questionable issues and has always taught me to stand my ground. The thing about having my mom as a role model is that she never forced me to want to follow her footsteps, she's just an incredibly genuine person. I may be bias because I'm her daughter but she has surrounded herself with many amazing women that I can also look up to. They all share similar values and have the same goals, they're honest, trustworthy amazing humans. All women who have taken me under their wing if I've ever need some motherly advice or help and my mom was working or out of town. My mom gave me the mindset of wanting to be a woman people and young girls looked up to.

When I left for college my mom was still my best friend, biggest fan, and favorite role model. The phone calls got longer and the distance started to feel unbearable at times. I struggled sometimes with understanding where I belonged and if I was doing everything right. She never said "I told you so" when I made a mistake and she never judges or critiques the decisions I make. Our relationship at times when I went away was either stronger than ever or it could have been stressful. When you are with someone literally all the time for the first 17 years of your life it got really difficult coming home on breaks or for summer and having to readjust to everything I had before I left. When I left I had to teach myself how to live a life with mom constantly around to check on everything and make sure it was okay. It wasn't a bad thing thats what you're supposed to do, grow up. But it was scary and that was new for both of us.

One of the things my mom does best is worry. Now usually that isn't considered a compliment but for her its one of the qualities I like most about her because you know she is always caring and alert. It's also good for her to be so alert and in tune to what is going on because it's like she'll call me right before I might make a questionable decision. She just knows what I need and how I need her to be there for me and I really wish and aspire to be like her as woman, wife, and mother.