No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child. -Jeffrey R. Holland, 2015

Dear momma,

I wish there was a way for you to see what I see when I look at you.  Do you realize you hold the world in your hands?  From my earliest memories, you’ve always been right by my side cheering me on, teaching me, and loving me.  You were there every single day.

You have given me every advantage in life.  From the beginning, you taught me all that I needed to know.  From walking, to tying my shoes, to riding my bike, to running full speed ahead in order to accomplish my dreams.  You taught me everything and because of your efforts, I know I can become anything I work hard to achieve.

Some days were guaranteed to be exhausting.  You sacrificed so much.  Nine months of your life carrying me.  Spending late nights with no sleep as I cried, more long nights caring for me when I couldn’t breathe, running me back and forth to play with friends, wiping my tears and putting bandaids on all of my (invisible) wounds when I got hurt, cooking meals every day even when we were picky, and constantly cleaning up after us.  You were there for all of the challenges of motherhood.

What is even better, is that you were also present for all of the good days as well.

You celebrated with us by LIVING.

I remember all of the days you spent out in the sandbox digging with us, eating popsicles on the back porch, and showing us what it means to live well.  Whether we were coloring chalk pictures out in the rain with our swimsuits on while sitting under umbrellas, or riding sleds down the big hill during the middle of the summer, you taught us that life is to be enjoyed.  You laughed and played right along beside us, and I feel like the luckiest girl alive to have been given that blessing.

Even when money was tight, I never once felt as if I was missing out on anything.  I was given the world by you and dad as you worked together to create our family.  From the beginning, I was shown that happiness doesn’t come from having things, but from loving people and choosing joy.

You are the most giving, kind person I know.  Whether you are whipping up a feast for a neighbor in need, or writing love notes to people you think of throughout the day, you are always thinking of others.  I think this is one of the greatest gifts that you have from God.  You were given a massive heart, and you act on the promptings you receive to bless the lives of everyone around you.  I cannot even count the number of times I have been on the receiving side of this love.

Ma, you have been there on all of my good days celebrating and cheering me on.

But you have also been there for the dark days.  You held my hand when I couldn’t handle the pain after surgeries, and then helped me deal with the challenges of recovering.  You have wrapped your arms around me and wiped my tears on so many occasions.  Although I no longer cry about skinned knees, you help bandage my suffering heart each time I cannot escape the darkness.

I hope you know how beautiful you are – inside and out.  I secretly love it when people say I look like you.  There is no higher compliment than being even half as gorgeous as my momma.  I hope one day I can be as stunning on the inside as you are as well.

I used to hope to be rich and have a prestigious career according to the world’s standards.  Now my biggest dream is to be rich in love and have the most prestigious career known to God.  The monetary pay is non-existent but the reward of a full life of sticky fingers, slobbery kisses, giggles, glorious accomplishments, and an eternal family is more than enough now.  I can’t wait to be a mom so that I can pass that love and devotion on to my future babies.

I can think of no calling in life more wonderful.

There are no perfect words to thank you for all you have done for me.  All I know is you are my hero, my friend, my best example, my strength, my confidant, and everything I want to become.  You’re the real MVP.  I will love you forever.

<3 your Lovie girl

P.S. Happy mother’s day to all of the glorious, beautiful, strong women in my life.  No matter what your personal circumstances are, I hope you recognize the power you hold just by being alive.  You have the ability to change the world through each interaction you have – whether it is with your own kids, neighbors, nieces and nephews, friends, family, or other women.  As you share your love and allow those around you to feel the love of Christ through you, you are affecting the eternities.

Your goodness and examples have touched my life in a way that is immeasurable.  I am who I am because of all that you do, and for that, I am so grateful.  Thank you for showing the women around you (including me) what it looks like to serve, to love, and to give.  As you do these things, it weakens the influence of the adversary and brings more of our heavenly brothers and sisters to the knowledge of Christ.  Whether you are single, married, widowed, or whatever – your power as a woman is beyond imagination.  Thank you for blessing my life with all you do.

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