Dear Mom,
In case you didn’t already know, you are my best friend. You’re my rock. You’ve always been more than a mother to me. You’ve been a role model, an inspiration, a teacher, a comrade, an accomplice, and so, so much more. I know I don’t thank you enough, (and honestly I don’t think I ever could), and I know I don’t let you know how much I appreciate all that you do for our family as much as I should, but I wanted to write you this letter to let you know how much you are loved and valued. This way you’ll be able to read it throughout the year whenever you’re feeling sentimental, underappreciated, or having a rough day. You won’t have to wait for the one day a year when everyone rushes out to buy cards and flowers and make you breakfast in bed. You can have a little piece of Mother’s Day with you every day.
Mother’s Day, if you didn’t know, began back in the early 1900s as a way to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their children. Over the years it has become this commercial idea of showering our mothers with gifts instead of authentic love an appreciation. Don’t get me wrong mom, I know you would never turn down flowers, spa gift cards, or a trip to the winery, but there are some things that money can’t do. What a mom really wants on Mother’s Day (correct me if I’m wrong) is the affirmation that she’s doing a great job. That all the time and energy she puts into keeping everyone’s lives from falling apart at the seams is appreciated. It is. Believe me, we’d fall apart without you mom.
As I’ve grown older, my relationship with you has changed. That’s to be expected though. Some of my fondest Mother’s Day memories growing up have been trying (and failing) to be quiet while I helped dad and my brother make you breakfast in bed, squirming while I waited for you to open the Mother’s Day presents I made for you at school, and going on family adventures together to celebrate. Now, I put this pressure on myself to find you the perfect gift. Something you’ll actually use, like cook books or Lush bath bombs, and I think it’s because I feel like I need to get you a present worthy of all that you do for me. It’s an impossible task.
You’re the one I call when I feel like my entire world is falling down all around me, even though it’s most likely just a small part of my life that’s "crashing and burning". You’re the first one I want to talk to when something happens, no matter what it is. I know that I can tell you anything, and have complete confidence that your love is unconditional. I know I take that for granted, and don’t thank you enough for loving and accepting me the way I am, faults and all. You’ve always encouraged me to follow my heart and do whatever makes me happy. I can’t thank you enough for always being in my corner no matter what path I take.
I know I’ve had my share of falls, (especially in the last couple of years) but thank you for allowing me to get back up on my own, yet still being there if I needed you. I appreciate how you’re always honest with me (even though I accuse you of being bias). You will always be my first choice to go shopping with because you’re like my mirror and your face never lies.
You have taught me so much about both life and myself. If it wasn’t for you I don’t know if I would be the independent, selfless, and confident woman I am today, who’s willing to go after what she wants and set seemingly unattainable goals because she knows she has the best support system a girl could ask for. Because of you I know the importance of time management, determination, a strong faith, core values, and staying true to myself. I’ve never been too afraid of falling, that I won't take the jump, because I know that you will always catch me.
My first year away from home when I left for college was hard, as I'm sure you know. I think it was as difficult as it was, because we’re so close and suddenly you weren’t there. Since then, I think we both grown and adapted. What I’ve come to understand is that even though I’m older now, I live farther away, and it may sometimes seem like I don’t need you as much, it’s because you are such an amazing mom. Everything I set my mind to, everything I'm able to accomplish, is merely a reflection of you. Both because I look like you, and because you’ve given me all the skills and knowledge I need to succeed. You will always be my mom and I will always want you in my corner. I may not thank you or tell you how much I love and appreciate you enough, but believe me I really, really do.
XOXO,
Your Daughter
