I love my mama.

She is the epitome of hotness, grace, femininity and strength.

Her independent, go-getter attitude has been my example of what it means to be driven, ingenious and forward thinking.

Many of the life lessons she’s taught me have stayed with me well into adulthood.

Though my mom is well over the hill, she looks no older than 30 something. Her great skin, bright eyes and model-esque figure could make even the most stylish and attractive young woman envious!

As in the words made famous by the film Sunset Boulevard, my mom is always “ready for her close up Mr. Demille.”

Just before the Christmas holidays, my mother traveled out-of-state to visit one of my siblings. She stayed over a month, leaving her daughter-turned-best-friend and confidante behind. I often talk to my mother three to four times every day and though we stayed connected via text or call her entire vacation, it wasn’t the same. I missed her laugh, her annoyances and of course her conversation.

Growing up, my mother was always the one to give me words laced with wisdom or encouragement. She gave things to me straight — hardly sugarcoating, and after the at times harsh blows, she’d be there to kiss my wounds and melt my heart with her love. She was the devoted wife, mother and coach. She would go out in the yard and throw a football with you (by the way, she was the consummate Tomboy and athlete) or stand over your shoulder in the kitchen as you tried to mimic her “goo-lash” or signature recipes. A jack of all trades, my mother was definitely a master of many!

As I reflect on all those memorable moments — the times me and my sisters ruined the house “playing house,” made my mom pull out her hair and wish she could time travel to another place, or made her cry tears of joy, I am happy to be the daughter of Gwendolyn Taylor, the ultimate Taylor girl. So glad you’re back mom.