Hey Mom, I miss you. I miss you so much. I miss when I was little and you would hold my hand to cross the street. I miss your guidance because it was once so extremely obvious and now it’s through a phone. I miss your smile because I’m never around to see it anymore. I just miss you so much.

Hey Mom, do you remember when we would fight and scream at each other for hours? I miss that because it was then when you showed me your love for me the most. I used to hate listening to your lectures, and now I can’t wait for your calls filled with wisdom and knowledge.

Hey Mom, you know that I love you, right? Without you, I never would have become the woman that I am today. You have molded me into who I am today, and it’s funny because I don’t think you even noticed that you were doing it. You didn’t notice that I fell in love with music because you love to listen to Stevie Nicks. You didn’t notice that I started writing because you handed me a pen and paper. You didn’t notice that I fell in love with myself because you taught me to never settle.

Hey Mom, I owe you a lot. From the very beginning, you wanted me. I wasn’t a mistake; I wasn’t a surprise. You wanted me, and you made that known every day of my life. 11 years in the making, and I can only imagine how excited you must’ve been when you conceived. Your love shines through every single day, Mom. You are the reason I wake up smiling.

Hey Mom, thank you for teaching me about God. He has helped me through more than you know. Thank you for never letting me be too hard on myself and always pushing my envy of others to the back of my mind. Thank you for believing in me even when I don’t believe in myself. Thank you for pushing me towards the right path even when it seems there is no right way at all. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on and my hand to hold. Thank you for fighting my battles even when I thought I could do it myself. Thank you for our long talks in the car.

Hey Mom, I wish I could see myself through your eyes. I wish that I could see what you see every time I walk through the front door. You have always seen me in the most beautiful ways, and I pray one day I see myself in that same way.

Hey Mom, thank you—for everything.

Much love,

Your First Born