Growing up my Mom was my best friend. Like really and truly she was my best friend. I struggled to belong in elementary and middle school. Either the target of bullying or one of the nameless faces blindly following the leaders. It was my mom who helped me to discover who I was by introducing me to the things that became my life long passions. And by giving me the ability to be myself. For all our differences, my mom has always allowed me to be myself.