11 Things I Don’t Tell My Mom Nearly As Often As I Should

1. Thank you for always having my best interest at heart.

You always want what’s best for me at the time, even when I can’t see it you can. Thank you for being my voice of reason when I’m blind in the moment of what I want during that time. I don’t think about the long-term consequences or effects like you do, and now I can see it was always because you cared about my best interest. I used to get mad because I didn’t understand, but now I can see more clearly and I know it was always because you were looking out for me, so thank you.

2. I’m thankful for you.

I’m thankful for everything you do, you’re an incredible woman and I’m so glad you’re my mom. You always put me first, even when you shouldn’t to make sure I’m happy. The amount of sacrifices you make are insane but I know you make them because you love our family. I’m thankful for you still loving me through all my phases of life, including my emo middle school days and ‘know it all’ high school days. You loved me through it all until I actually turned into a normalish good person.

3. Thank you for making me strong.

You taught me strength. You taught me how to be independent. You taught me how to stand up for myself and to not take any shit. You taught me to fight for what I believe in and always do what feels right to me. You made me strong and you helped me become the person I am today.

4. I’m proud of you.

You always tell me how proud of me you are, but I’m also proud of you. You do so much; you juggle everyone else’s schedule while somehow still staying on top of your own. You always put others first and make sure the family is set. It’s so selfless of you. You kick butt in your career and you are such a caring person, it makes me proud to have you as a mom.

5. You taught me well.

You taught me so much of what I know and live by everyday. You taught me how to manage my money and to always be careful. You taught me that you’d always be in my corner backing me up, no matter how stupid a decision I made was because that’s love. You taught me to care about the world and animals. You taught me to be generous and give to those in need. You taught me to put myself first, but to not be selfish. You taught me how to be proud of myself, but to still be humble. You taught me well and I’m thankful for it.

6. I miss you.

I don’t see you as much anymore living on my own and traveling, and when I did live with you I was an anxious teenager who couldn’t wait to leave home and explore the world. But I miss you. Sometimes all I want is to come back home and hug you. I want the comfort of your presence and I know the closest I’ll get to that is calling you. I don’t say it nearly as often as I should, but I really do miss you.

7. I’m sorry.

I’m sorry for all the hell I used to put you through and probably still put you through. I’m sorry for all the nights I kept you up worried and things I did even when you said no. I know I wasn’t an angel and I never will be. I did things that made you want to rip your hair out and wonder where you want wrong, but you didn’t do anything wrong and I’m sorry if I made you think that. It was the youth in me thinking I knew best.

8. You deserve the best.

You always tell me you want the best for me, but I also want the best for you because if anyone deserves the best it’s you. I hope you know that. I hope you’re happy and you keep loving and caring about people. I hope you keep chasing your dreams and I hope you have everything you’ve ever wanted because that’s what you deserve. I’m sorry all I’ve been able to give you is a few phone calls and some candles, when you deserve an island and all the pampering your heart desires (maybe one day). But you really do deserve the best, I mean that.

9. Thank you for supporting me.

Thank you for your continuous support, through every idea I’ve had you support me, even if you think it’s stupid. You’ve never turned down something that I’ve really wanted. You’ve always supported every trip, every sporting event and every other random thing in my life that I’ve wanted to do. You’ve always supported it and been behind me cheering me on to do the best I can. I can’t thank you enough for that.

10. Thank you for saying no.

Thank you for not always giving me what I wanted. It made me understand the value of hard work and money. It also taught me that most I’m usually completely fine without whatever “it” is. It made me understand that you can’t always get what you want and if you want it enough then things will work out, or you can go back and get it.

11. I love you.

It’s simple, but it’s probably the most important thing I could tell you. You are an incredible woman and I couldn’t be more thankful to have you in my life. Your strength is inspiring and I love you doesn’t even begin to cover it, but I do love you.