For my mom....

Mom, You taught me all I know, not only about motherhood, but also about womanhood. I have watched you rejoice as a mom, a wife and a woman, and I have learned from you as you have persevered through the hardest of times. The example you've set for me as a wife and mother is unmatchable, and the model you've shown me as a wife is all but unattainable.

You are loving, patient and caring. You always put others first, but care for yourself enough to know your limits. You have raised two very strong women, who love you and try their best to be the same kind of mother to their kids that you are to them. You raised me, a stubborn child, an April baby with a diamond birth stone, and the sign of a Taurus. Did you have a clue what you were in for? My smart mouth got me in trouble more than once, but we usually ended up laughing. My stubbornness proved to be my downfall more than once but you always seemed to see it as an asset...which it has proven to be, many times. ( I guess you just have to learn when being stubborn can work to your advantage, and when you should let things go.)

 You have been my best friend, and my biggest fan. Your encouragement has seen me through the worst of times. You have literally never let me down...not one time. How many people in your life can you say that about? When my world came crashing down, and my life seemed to be falling apart...when I had no direction, you were my compass. Maybe you can't be all things to all people, but you are all things to the people who count.

 Whether I'm extremely happy and excited or overwhelmed and sad, my first thought is, "I need to talk to mom!" I don't think I tell you often enough how much you mean to me and to our family. I know there have been times in my life when I thought I had everything figured out, and I just took you for granted. I never want to do that again. I don't know how I could have gotten through the last few years without your love and support and now that it's time to celebrate happiness, I don't need anyone else by my side for the good times.

 Nikki and I couldn't ask for a better mom or grandma for our kids. We all love you and your unbending, never faltering, loving ways. Our kids are more blessed than they can even realize to have such a woman in their lives. Thank you, mom for always loving me, even when it was tough, and for always being the mom I needed every step along the way. I love you, mama....


 Life's short. Buy the shoes ;)