Sanborn NY-- For Gina DiNunzio, a bond between a mother and daughter is more than unconditional.

You really don't know someone until you hear their story. You truly don't know someone's story until you hear their hardships and struggles that made them who they are today. Until you're in their shoes, you will understand that the word "Mom" means a lot more than what you perceive. "She wasn’t just my mom, but she was my best friend as well," says Gina, 19, a freshman at Niagara County Community College here.

Once Gina finally realized she needed this wonderful woman in her life, she began to accept her not only as a mother; but a human being as well. During her late teenage years, it was tough facing reality.

“You get to that stage in life …show more content…
I just want to help people because that's what mom did," stated Gina.

Three, Two, One….

Gina DiNunzio was born in Buffalo, New York, the youngest out of five children. Her father is a Food and Drug administrator and her step-mom is the head of M&T bank in downtown Buffalo. Being the youngest child, you’re most likely to be spoiled, but not in Gina’s world. She has always worked for what she wanted even paying for her own college tuition, which has helped her shape into a mature young woman.

Few years later, Gina had to transfer schools due to her mother’s death. “I was literally starting over a new life. A new chapter. A new beginning. I felt so alone, not having my mother there telling me it’s gonna be fine, I just had to suck it up. Do you know how hard that was?! Gosh, words can’t express how I felt, I guess I was just scared,” Gina indicated. She has realized that things happen in life for a reason and accepts it just the way it is.

Doing things her own way and living up to her mother’s expectations makes her stronger everyday. “Even though mom isn’t here with me, I know she’s watching me saying “I know you can do it, my little petunia.” So I do it for mom. I miss her so much,” Gina said while shedding a