Until college, I never truly appreciated how great my mom was. Our personalities are very different, and because of that, we struggled to form a close relationship when I was in high school. I’m Type A, and she’s more Type B. She can go with the flow, whereas I cannot. I am more than anything like my dad in the fact that I am very strong willed and stubborn. You can see how this could cause some problems between us. However, when I left home for college, I began to see how amazing my mom was and still is. Although very different from me, she has always been my rock. College has taught me the importance of family. For some of you reading this, you may not have a great relationship with your mom, but I want to share why you should appreciate her.

She is your biggest supporter, whether it’s a new job or a new pair of shoes. Moms want to see their kids succeed. Remember all those school recitals and soccer games that she went to when you were little? She didn’t have to go to all of those things, but she chose to because she wanted to support you. Appreciate the many ways she roots for you every day, even when you are all grown up.

She is always willing to go to the chick flicks guys don’t want to see and take you on the endless shopping trips no one else wants to endure. I don’t know about you, but what’s not to appreciate about that? It’s the best feeling when you shop with your mom because you know you’re about to get some free clothes, or you go to a movie and don’t have to worry about the money you’ll shell out for some M&M’s and popcorn. Recently, the new movie "Bridget Jones’s Baby" hit theaters and no one except my mom understands my love for these movies. She was the first person I asked to see this movie with, not because other people wouldn’t go see it but because she is the only person that understands why I like Bridget Jones’s quirky personality and all around awkwardness in social situations. Appreciate that you always have a person who will take you on shopping sprees or treat you to a movie with any and every item at concessions. To some, these qualities seem pointless, but to me, they are what makes a mother-daughter relationship so special.

Most importantly, appreciate that your mom will always be there for you even at your lowest when you feel you can’t pick yourself back up. When one guy broke things off with me this past year, I felt an emptiness I did not think could be repaired.; however, my mom constantly reminded me of my worth and helped me become stronger in the process. While your friends are there for you in heartbreak, no one quite knows you like your mom. She knows what you are thinking before you even say it.

Each relationship between a mother and her child is different; however, the unselfish and sometimes undeserved love is apparent in all of them. Love on your moms because they are the ones that will remind you of how special you are. They are the ones that are gonna laugh in the good times with you and cry in the bad times as well. So do yourself a favor, and do something nice for your mom today to show her you appreciate the many ways she loves you.