Meet my mom, Renata Bordallo. It's impossible to think of her without remembering my childhood in Hawaii with my brother, Rafael, and sister Nina. She moved us there in 1996 to pursue her master's in social work, all while being a full-time single mother. "That was actually one of the best times in my life, 'cause we were just all in school together, and it was a great time," she recalled.

Although she came from a family of politicians and businessmen, she decided to take a different route. "Well, I always wanted a career, I've worked, you know your grandpa was a businessman, Grandpa Bordallo, had his businesses, so I had always worked from the time I was really about," she added.

Her strong work ethic coupled with a love for volunteering led her to a lifelong career dedicated to helping other people. But when she wasn't studying, juggling three kids with work, or giving back to the community, she was being a supermom - never missing a school play or dance recital, throwing birthday parties, taking us camping, and being an active member of the infamous "Father Duenas Football Water Moms".

But my mom also had many struggles, battling health issues all her life. When I was in high school she moved to California for treatment, leaving my siblings and I to grow up with our grandparents, and our extended family full of second moms. "But I've always had help from my in-laws and my own family," she said, "and I really appreciate that support."

But no matter what my mom is going through, she's still always been my biggest supporter, my shoulder to cry on, and the first person I wake up to when I'm in the hospital. She said, "It's true that you never stop being a mom, even if your children, like you guys are all grown up now, and I'm so happy to pretty soon be a grandmother for the first time."

She added, "You're always going to be a mother - that motherhood will never end. Just do the best you can, forgive yourself from the beginning because you're going to make mistakes, but you know just do your best and that's all a person can ask for."

And that's how I'll always remember my mom - her meekness, her selflessness, her struggles, her words of comfort and advice, her love for TV crime thrillers, and her ridiculous sweet tooth. It's these memories that will always bring a smile to my face.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.