Starting college and moving out is something that most people look forward to. Moving out is a very exciting and intimidating season of life. Most 18 year olds look forward to the freedom and anticipation of college. I mean, you don’t have to listen to your parents, you make so many new friends and your life changes so quickly. While all of that is true- and all of that is great- what you don’t expect is how much more you’ll appreciate your mom after you're gone.

The first few weeks of school are full of fun and anticipation. You meet new friends, start classes and get used to living with someone other than your mom. As you settle in, you start to realize you have to buy your own groceries because the ones your mom bought when you moved in are almost gone. You have to do your own laundry; you already worn the same shirt and pants three times before it counts as dirty. You have no one older and wiser than you to give you advice. Nonetheless, you start to appreciate all the things your mom did for you so much more.

Being in college and doing things on your own, gives you a huge sense of accomplishment, but it also makes you realize how much your mom did for you at home and how much you took all of those things for granted. You begin to appreciate the little things; like the home cooked meals and the shoulder to lean on when things got tough. You appreciate how much of an amazing person your mom is. She took care of you, your siblings, your dad and then herself.

So, when you go home and your mom has a meal ready for you walking in the door, thank her. Thank her, not only for that meal and the things she does for you that weekend, but thank her for all the things she has done for you. Thank her for how much she loves and cares for you. Thank her for believing in you and getting you this far. Thank her for just simply being her.