Send This To Your Mother If She’s Your Best Friend

You’re my best friend. You always have been.

When I was a kid, I didn’t realize it. I just thought you were the older woman who lived with me, the woman who made my lunch and sent me off to school. The woman who warned me about stranger danger and and poured my medicine into a plastic cup when I was sick. I loved you, but I loved you in the way a daughter loves a mother. Not in the way a friend loves another friend.

When I was a teen, I still didn’t realize it. I just though you were the woman who grilled me about my day and wanted me home for dinner. The woman who thought she understood me, but didn’t know anything about what I was going through. Didn’t understand my boy problems and love of makeup and trouble concentrating in class.

But now that I’m older, I finally realize it. You’re the one person that I can talk to about absolutely anything, no matter how embarrassing or awkward it is. Even if I pull off something insanely stupid, I know you won’t judge me. Yes, you might lecture me. You might even get pissed at me. But you’ll never love me any less for my mistakes. In your eyes, I’m perfect.

You know me better than anyone. You’re the only person who can pick out a shirt for me that I’ll actually wear. You’re the only person who can understand what I’m trying to say when I’m fumbling to form a coherent sentence. You’re the only person who knows who I am, who I was, and who I want to be.

You’ve never let me down. You drove me from place to place for years and supported all of my decisions. And even now, if I ask for your help, you’ll come running, even when the request is absolutely ridiculous. If I ask you for help painting my toenails or to try the new app I just downloaded, you’ll be there. You might make fun of me the entire time, but it won’t stop you from staying.

You’ve done everything for me. You’ve listened to my whine and cry and complain. You’ve spent money to give me an education, a home, and a (semi) sane life. You’ve even lied to get me out of parties I didn’t want to go to. You’ve given me every piece of you and I’m finally old enough to appreciate that.

When my teachers yelled at me, you were there for me. When my friends ditched me, you were there for me. When my ex broke my heart, you were there for me. You never left my side. And I’ll never leave yours.

I’ve been your best friend since the day I was born, so I think that it’s about time for you to know that you’re my best friend, too. I’m sorry it took me this long to realize it.