Mommy,

I’m sure that you’ve read things like this all the time when I show them to you or little bits in a Mother’s Day card, but this time it’s a little different.

I’m finally able to say that I am ready to leave the nest (but of course, I’ll always come back and visit). I don’t mean for the first day of kindergarten or the first day of college, but for the first day that I’m ready to be on my own.

This obviously didn’t happen overnight, I know you’ve been planning and dreading this day your whole life. The day that you think I no longer need you. But that’s not it at all. It’s the day that you finally get to say "I did it."

You’ve shown me everything that school hasn’t taught me and all of the life lessons and little things like how to pay bills, how to make dinner, to wash my sheets frequently, and change my toothbrush frequently too. Things that a child can only learn from their parents.

You’ve instilled a mother’s instinct in me. Shown me how to care for the little things and how to be my own mother. Everything I learned from you, I will be passing down to your grandchildren.

Don’t worry, your mothering days are nowhere near over. I’ll still call you and ask how to make this or how to fix that, but I want you to know that I’m going to be okay. If I forget to call to you for a couple days just know that you haven’t left my mind, I just got caught up in the job that you’ve always dreamed me having or taking care of the lovely grandkids you love so much.

I love you mom and there’s nothing more that I would want from a mother. You’re damn near perfect.

Love,

Your daughter.