Today is a very, very special person’s birthday. My mother, Bonnie.
Dear Mommy,
I know this is a very public space, but I want the word to know just how much you mean to me.
So first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
When I was younger, I remembered just how much I loved being around you. You were there for every school pick up, every game, every class trip. And that meant the world to me. I may not have known it back then, but it really left a mark on me: I have the best mom in the world. I know just how lucky I was to grow up with a mother who was ALWAYS around. And now, after 27 years together, I hope you know JUST how much I love you. I think as I get older, I want to show it to you more and more. But I think you already know.
When I say thank you, I truly mean it. You do anything and everything for Nicole and I, and even though we are annoying most of the time, we are appreciative. Thank you for the countless hugs and kisses, even though now I’m the one smothering you with them. Thank you for letting me argue with you, and just letting it blow over till I realized how stupid I was being. Thank you for being a best friend, even when I didn’t want to talk or share with you…you were just there. Thank you for all of the experiences and smiles you’ve brought to my face over the years. They mean more than you know. Thank you for being a strong woman in my life, even though you’ve been through too much in your life. You’ve shown me that it’s possible to get through many heartbreaking situations. And thank you for raising me the way you did. I can’t think of ONE time I even “thought” you were a “bad” mom. You have always done the most to protect, love, and care for us. Again, the older I get the more I realize just how much I’m like you. And that’s something I’m really proud of.
The days we have together are the most special to me. It’s part of the reason why I don’t want to leave home. I love knowing that when I do come home, you’re going to be there. I love our reality TV dates, our errand-running dates, and our Starbucks dates. I love that you teach me random facts about nothing. I love that I can make fun of you for saying words like “yogit” or “pickcha” or “donit”. I love that I can still hold your hand and rub your pinky finger like I did when I was little (and you let me even though I would make your pinky callous). Quality time with you, Mom, is the best.
It comes down to this, the same words I wrote when I was in grammar school: “You are my life.” (Cannot believe I wrote something like that in 2nd grade.) Thank you for being everything to me, always.
Happy, happy, happy birthday, Mommy.
Your rainbow baby, Dana
