A Birthday Letter to You, Mom

Learning to love throughout my life has proven to be a never ending adventure.  You were my first great love.  You were the first one that showed me that love can make you feel safe, happy, adventurous, and peaceful all in the same moment.  As time moved on past my childhood, the love that I had always known changed when I felt myself falling in love with someone for the first time.  The exhilarating love I found in Thomn was a further transformation from simple puppy love to what then and now feels like a forever love rooted in a partnership and respect of each other.  Sometimes I wonder if I would have ever known myself well enough to understand the love I have with Thomn if I hadn’t learned such deep and unending love at a very young age from you.

Nothing prepared me for the love of a child.  You hear people say that having a child changes everything and it is a love like none other.  But, until I became a mom, I really couldn’t grasp this change.  Now I know.  Now I know the love that you felt when you snuggled me close and felt my baby fuzz graze her face.  Now I know that every new thing I learned brought you a deeper joy than what could be explained.  Now I know that the first time I voluntarily walked to you for a kiss that it made your heart explode.

Thank you for your love Mom.  Thank you for showing me what love could look like.  Every day I strive to be the best possible version of myself; to be a mom filled with patience and kindness and unending love and I carry a piece of you with me in the process.

Happy birthday Mom.  If there is anyone that deserves to feel love today it is you.  Thomn, S, LuckyNumber7 and I are so grateful for you.  I love you.

Mom and I shortly after my 1st birthday