27

Happy Birthday (on the 21st), to this wonderful man...

I so love him.

Happy 27th birthday, best friend! So thankful for the birthdays we've shared together, here's to many, many more! 

Oh Mother,

Well, despite my doubts, I made it through last week alive and happy. I could not have made it through without the love and support of my amazing friends and family. Especially my mother (& Brandon, always Brandon).

On Thursday I went in for surgery and she was there bright and early to see me and help calm my nerves, which, given my fear of needles and hospitals is no small task. But her presence calmed me down, her positive attitude and quickness to laugh were just the medicine I needed. She stayed at the hospital through the whole operation and was there to calm my tears and answer my questions when I was wheeled into a hospital room I didn't recognize, confirming to me that what was supposed to be an outpatient visit had become inpatient. In the days that followed she was always there when I needed her, just a text or call away when I was feeling sick or blue and always came to visit me with a cheerful smile and a million goodies when I couldn't make up my mind about what food sounded good to eat. I could not have survived this weekend without my mother who is always so strong and amazing. Always living her life to comfort and serve those that she loves and always being a rock and example to those around her.

When things get hard I know she'll be there and for that I am eternally grateful for the gift of mothers. Of all the many things my mother gave me the strongest thing I gained from her is the desire to be a mother and to raise a family. Without the surgery this last week it would have been difficult for me to be a mother and without my mother there to hold my hand it would have been difficult to have the surgery. So interesting, the many aspects of motherhood this mother's day weekend encompassed for me. I am so thankful to be a woman and to know so many beautiful and amazing mothers that are perfect examples to me of everything I hope to one day be.