There are certain qualities that make each of our mothers special. The way she patched up a scraped knee when we were young. The gentle way she combed through your hair and let you cry into her lap when your first love broke your heart, and you never thought you'd be happy again.

Even the way she scolded you the first time she caught you with a cigarette. How she told you she wasn't mad but "disappointed;" ultimately making you feel worse than if she had just punished you.

Yes, there's something uniquely special, beautiful and admirable about our mothers.

And although I can't speak for everyone, I can honestly say it takes a good amount of time for most of us wise, all-knowing children to actually realize and appreciate who they are and all they do.

This Mother's Day, we asking you Richmond to step outside the box, get a little wishy-washy and really take a minute to finish the sentence, "My mother is…" and tell us why.

For starters, I want to talk about my own mother – a bright, smart, funny and beautiful woman who has quickly become one of my very best friends.

My mother is…genuine.

Almost to a fault, and without being pushy, invasive or prying. Well done, mom. She also knows how to give great, solid advice – even if I don't always take it.

After coming to her for the past 23 years with a variety of problems – whether not being able to hook a bracelet or deciding on which college to attend – I've come to realize that she's purely "genuine" in every sense of the word. A genuine listener; a genuine caregiver; a genuine mother; a genuine friend.

No matter what her own opinion is, for example, "you probably shouldn't spend all your tips at the bar" or "are you sure you don't want to just try it on," (she's also genuinely good at picking out clothes), instead of pushing you to see it her way she listens, chimes in when needed and let's you figure it out for yourself.

My mother is…supportive.

After making my way through college graduation and into the "real world," I know there's not a lot people won't do to keep a good chunk of money in hand.

My dad, however, isn't one of those people.

For his own personal reasons, my dad quit left his job of 20 years to take on his own business venture. Did my mother panic over money or call him crazy for leaving what was safe and easy?

Not once. Instead she admirably re-budgeted, congratulated him and has been helping him follw his dream, by his side, ever since.

My mother is…compassionately selfless.

Without being a people pleaser, she loves to see the people in her life smile, fulfilled and know they're loved.

My sister is the athlete of the family. Softball is her passion and as a freshman at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, she starts in almost every game.

Instead of taking time on the weekends to relax or work in the yard, my mother (and father) drive, fly or catch a train to her games. Not because she enjoys missing out on precious hours of sleep on Sundays, but because she selflessly puts her children first.

Never letting us settle and always pushing us further. So, thanks mom – for everything you are and everything you do – and Happy Mother's Day!