Here's Why My Mom Will Walk Me Down the Aisle

Every little girl dreams about her wedding—I think we can all admit that. When I was young I always envisioned a backyard reception with a big band and a church ceremony (à la Father of the Bride)—with my dad walking me down the aisle. Fast-forward to freshman year in college and my parents were going through a divorce, and my dad did some not so nice things. Today our relationship is pretty much nonexistent, and I've grown even closer to my mom—which I didn't think was possible, since we were already so close.

When everything first happened, I always had the thought of when the time finally came for my wedding, I'd walk myself down the aisle—that I didn't need anyone's "help" in that moment. But the truth is, I do, and I will always, need my mother's help.

My mom is the strongest woman I know. After the divorce, she could have fallen apart (and we all did a little bit), but she picked herself up and did something she hadn't done in years—focus on herself and her career. She went back to college, finished her degree, then went to graduate school and got her master's in health administration. Now, she works as a health administrator at a mental health clinic—and I admire her strength every day for trying to help her patients.

But my mom is not only smart—she's one of the most caring women I know. When I was moving to Chicago for a graduate school, she came with me to help me set up my apartment. And when I moved to New York, she left work early just to drive into the city to see the apartment I thought I liked (I wanted her opinion on it, of course). Whenever I'm being a total hypochondriac (which is often), she listens to me go on and on, and eventually tells me I'm fine. We chat every morning, whether it's about more serious family stuff or who's really annoying us lately on The Real Housewives of New York.

As I've grown up, my mom has turned into one of my best friends—whether it's a day out wine tasting or a workout in the park, we have the best time together. I'm so incredibly lucky to have her in my life. She is the reason I am who I am, and where I am, today. And someday, when I make that walk down the aisle, there's no one else I'd rather have by my side.