A Love Letter To My Mother

Yesterday was Mother's Day. So all over Missoula there were families spending the day together and showering the leading lady in their life with love and affection! To say that I was missing my mom, who lives about a million miles away from me, is a little bit of an understatement.

One of the hardest parts about being an adult, is having to make sacrifices when it comes to your career. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I do and I love traveling all over the world and living in different places. But what I don't love, is being separated from my family. Especially my mom.

Her name is Becky and she's a 1st grade teacher down in southern California. She loves her family more than life itself and gives so much to those around her! My mom has, and will always be my ride-or-die best buddy!

So even though I couldn't be there this year to shower her with the love and affection that she deserves for being the mom that other people wish they had, I hope she'll accept this love letter instead...

Dear Mom-

I could fill this page with a million 'Thank Yous,' but let's be honest, that would probably take all year! And then I'd have to start all over again...

It's days like yesterday where I see mother and daughter pairs all over the place, that I realize just how much I miss you. I miss our Coffee Bean dates. I miss you relentlessly trying to hook me up with every male within 100-yards of us. I miss you rolling your eyes at me when I say something ridiculous. The list goes on and on...

Not only am I grateful for all the sacrifices you and dad have made for us over the years, I'm thankful for everything I've learned from you. Mom you are the reason I've gotten this far in my career and in life in general. The boys and I grew up with the knowledge that we could do anything as long as we worked hard enough and never gave up. You and dad taught us the importance of respect and taking responsibility for our actions. But one of the greatest things you've taught me, is how to love. Knowing how to love myself for who I am and knowing how to love others for who they are has been the key to all my success.

A lot of people have told me, in one way or another, that I have a huge heart. And every time I hear this I think of you. Mom I am like you in so many ways and I hope you know how proud I am to be you daughter! Thank you so much for always being there for me and dealing with all my emotional mood swings! You are my favorite person and my forever ride-or-die! I love you so much!

Happy Mother's Day today and everyday!

xxx Nicole