My mom had me at 22. Having a young mother has helped us become close friends in adulthood.

Courtesy of Jamie Valentino

• My mother had my brothers and me at 22, so she sacrificed most of her youth for us.
• I took that for granted when growing up, and I even pushed her away in my 20s.
• Now, in my 30s, I'm seeing a new side of my mother and forging a new friendship with her.

My mom gave birth to me and my three brothers at 22. She spent her early 20s raising quadruplet sons.

During an era that was supposed to be for taking risks and self-exploration...