My love letters: Dear Mom

PINDear Mom, PIN

Writing a love letter to your mom is a little bit different. The deep, complicated, history-filled relationship between a mother and daughter is so different than any other relationship. Maybe because there is so much of you in me. When I was 16 I couldn’t imagine a day that I’d call you one of my best friends. There were a rough few years there (as I’m sure most mothers and daughters can attest to). I’m sure you couldn’t imagine it either. But now here we are. When something big (or small) happens in my life, you are one of the very first people I call.  And when I look back at growing up and remember key moments with you, I don’t see those crazy teenage years.  Here is what I do see:

The house where everyone wanted to hang out (the one with the cool parents)
Birthday parties with art “stations”
You reading me chapter books (just one more chapter!) in my bed with all of my blankets and stuffed animals, and eventually me reading them to you (Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, A Wrinkle in Time)
Painting the rainbow and flowers and rain (the rain being the easiest job for a 6 year old) on the wall in my bedroom
Homemade Halloween costumes
Paul Simon on the stereo
Stops at the “health food store”
Snow days and summers with you at home with us
Butts under the Christmas tree
Lots and lots of silliness

PIN

Thank you for giving me my love of reading and writing and self-expression. Half of my creativity (the other half from Dad) too. Thank you for teaching me to refuse to settle in a career that doesn’t thrill me and to be willing to try new things. And thank you also (I think) for my tendency to dive into things head first with every thing I have.

In the last few years our relationship has changed so much for the better. I get so excited when we get to visit and spend time with you  and I get jealous that you’re so much closer (geographically) to Jesse and Katie.  And it’s interesting to see how we can be so different but so much the same. I’m so happy and so blessed to have you in my life. I have only the best memories of childhood, which I know is not something everyone can say and I look forward to my kids saying the same about their time with Nana. (No, this is not a hint. Be patient :))

Thank you for loving me, telling me you’re proud of me, and being one of my best friends. I love you!

Love,

Your little girl

  PIN

It’s not too late to write your love letter too! It’s Valentine’s Day! Love on someone! (And enter the contest while you’re at it :))