HMD

Happy late Mother’s Day to all the amazing women who get to raise children to be courageous, independent, confident, etc. I’m so grateful to say that my mom did just that (and still is).

And since I was raised by my mother and beautiful grandmother to always write a thank you letter, I thought I would spice it up a bit and write one on the internet for anyone and everyone to see.

Mom,

Thank you for raising me to strive for greatness but always understanding when I didn’t make all A’s or the fact it took me 3+ years to master a back handspring. Thank you for always forgiving me (even if I’ve made one too many mistakes). Thank you for being protective but allowing me to grow and mature on my own. I truly do not think I would be the person I am today without your support, help, and honest (sometimes too honest) words. Thank you for teaching me how to be independent and to never let a guy control my happiness (even if I did cry over that one stupid high school boyfriend). But seriously, thank you for teaching my brothers and I morals and proper manners for any type of situation we encounter. I highly doubt we have handled every situation with perfect manners, but the older I get, the more I realize how important it is to be the bigger person and not let the insignificant troubles bother me. Looking back, feeling somewhat more mature, I have officially realized that you were right. Every piece of advice about friendships, clothing, and boys – it was all right even though I just now comprehended it. So there you go. It’s in writing that you were right all those years and will most likely continue to be right not matter the circumstances.

Grandma,

Thank you for showing me how a woman should act – with poise, proper manners, and of course, the classiest outfits. Thank you for the countless hours of homework help from junior high throughout college. I do not think anyone could be luckier (especially the boys) to have two grandparents and a mom as professors. You revised just about every essay I have ever written, and I am such a better writer because of you (even if I still can’t remember where the period goes after quotation marks). Thank you for the home cooked dinners and the absolute best pies I have ever tasted. Overall, thank you for being present in our lives and helping out whenever you are able. I could not think of a better grandmother, role model, tutor, cook, etc.

I will forever be in debt to the amazing family I was given and all the help throughout the way. Every single person in my family has influenced me all in different ways, and I would not change a thing about it all. Most importantly, thank you for never letting me feel as if I wasn’t enough.

Love you guys. ❤

-R