Happy Birthday Mom!

Olbrich Gardens, Madison, WI (2009)

Today is my mom's birthday and I want to give her something in addition to the package I sent home to Wisconsin a few days ago.

It's no secret I miss my family, living 2,000+ miles away from them is extremely hard. My mom especially. If you met me two years ago, I wouldn't have had as much appreciation for my mom as I do now. It sounds completely trite to say this, but we are so similar, yet so different, and I love it. It has taken me a long time to realize the blessings in the relationship I have with my mom.

She has taught me so many things, whether consciously or not. Odds are I was probably too stubborn to realize many of the life lessons she has given me over the years. On top of that, I most likely fought her on many of them.

I'm not sure if it's the distance between us, the life perspective I've gained in the past few years, a quarter-life awakening to the wonders around me or a healthy mix of all of the above.

One thing I am sure, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be able to realize how much I've grown into the person I am.

...and I just made myself cry. ha.

Happy Birthday, Mom! 

You mean the world to me and I'm so lucky to have you all to myself (one of the many perks of being an only child).