#1. She gives the best advice.
From the generic, “Be nice to your siblings,” and, “Eat your vegetables,” to more profound pieces of advice like, “There is a lid for every pot,” and, “Pick your battles carefully,” your mother always has something wise to share from her vast vault of real-life experiences.
#2. You sometimes raid each other’s closets.
You’re no stranger to your mom’s closet — as in, she’s had to shoo you away whenever she found you in there. Although she says your fashion choices are ‘questionable,’ you’ve caught her trying on your skimpy dresses more than once.
#3. She knows all your crushes since year 1.
It is dangerous for a single person to possess this much power, and it’s amazing she doesn’t blackmail you, when all she has to do is say, “I’ll call that nice boy’s mom — what’s his name? The one you liked in Mrs. Wilson’s 3rd grade class? Frank? No, it was Fred. Yeah, I’ll call Fred’s mom and tell her you need to clean your room.” You know you’d be on your hands and knees scrubbing that floor til it shines.
#4. She knows absolutely everything there is to know about you.
From that spattering of moles on your left thigh, to your utter hatred of eggplants, she’s aware of everything. Even when you insist that you’re fine, she knows when you’re sad or upset. Some people call it ‘mother’s intuition,’ but really your mom just cares enough to listen even when you’re not saying anything.
#5. She’s your number one cheerleader.
Every time you feel down in the dumps, just one call from her will instantly make your day better. No one can give a pep talk as warm and comforting as your mom.
#6. She protects you like a tiger.
People need to know better than to approach you with mean intentions. Apparently, your mom didn’t get the memo that you need to ‘fight your own battles’ because she’s sternly reprimanded everyone from the school bully to the school principal. Admit it, you’ve silently screamed, “Go mom!” during one or two of these arguments.
#7. You can cry on her shoulders.
She’s always ready with a cup of hot chocolate and welcoming arms whenever you’d come home in tears about a low grade, a squabble with your best friend, or not making the swim team. Then she’d wipe your tears away and make you feel like everything will be okay.
#8. You two can talk for hours about anything.
You love spending lazy afternoons and evenings with your mom, because you get to listen to her stories about growing up without Internet and iPhones. You talk about boys, and school, and getting a new dog for Christmas. You never even notice the time pass because you enjoy each other’s company so much.
#9. She’s hilarious.
Your mom could be a standup comedian of she wanted to. She makes a mean Oprah impression that has you rolling on the floor every single time. Even though not everyone ‘gets’ them, her jokes always make you laugh.
#10. She cooks the meanest lasagna ever.
Your neighbors and aunts have been trying to get the recipe for years, but she just whispers to you, “They can pry it off my cold, dead fingers.” It’s a secret you will take to your grave.
#11. And her desserts are always a hit.
Your mom makes all kinds of cakes and sweets, it’s a miracle that your family hasn’t succumbed to diabetes. You have a love/hate relationship with the holidays because you simultaneously crave and dread her Christmas cookie basket.
#12. She buys you the stuff that’s too expensive for you to splurge on.
Your mom probably bought more than half of the furniture in your apartment when she realized that you were sleeping on the floor during the first few months away from home.
#13. She’s the woman behind your every success growing up.
That winning painting you did when you were 6? You basically just traced watercolor paint over her drawing. Your six years of almost-perfect spelling tests? She would quiz you each night after dinner. You wouldn’t have ended up as smart as you are if it weren’t for your mom, to be honest.
#14. She reminds you that you’re beautiful.
She’s the only person in your life who tells you that you’re perfect the way you are. If anything, she’s always nagging you to ‘put more meat in those bones’.
#15. Basically, she’s your life guru.
Your mom has a say in any major life decision in your life. Only her ‘mom senses’ are able to see what you can’t. You trust her judgement more than you trust anyone else’s.
#16. You might not want to admit it, but you’re becoming more and more like your mom.
Sometimes you catch yourself doing very ‘mom’ things unintentionally. You never thought it would happen, but it has. But then you ask yourself, what’s so awful about being a strong, badass woman? So you rock that Katie Couric hair and bake sweets without abandon every weekend — just like your mom does.
#17. You’re 100% sure that when everyone else has gone and left, she’ll still be there.
Even after forgotten pinky swears and friendship bracelets, and after promises of forever from one boy too many, one thing remains constant: your mom has been by your side at the end of every failed relationship. She’s the one person you can count on to stay when everyone else has packed their bags.
#18. You’ll never be too old to need your mom.
No matter how old you get, you’ll always need your mom to ask how to braise duck, to make a home remedy for colds, or just to get some good old TLC. And when it’s your turn to be a mom, you’ll finally understand what they say when they say that no one can love you unconditionally like a mother can.