Dear Mom,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything you do for me. I want you to know just how special you are to me and how much I love you. You're always there to walk down memory lane with me, as well as to make new memories. You make me feel better when I'm not feeling well or just not having a good day.

It was you I called when I lived so far away and felt so estranged from everyone. It was you I called when we were so far apart during that special time in my life when I was carrying a child. And it was you I called when I wanted to share in my labor of love of bringing Lily into the world.

Even though I'm an adult now, married and with a child, I could not imagine my life without my Mom. A little girl always needs her Mom when times are tough as well as those rare times when life is blissfully quiet. You and I share a wonderful bond, that of a mother and daughter. There is nothing that has the strength to break that-foolish words, hurt feelings, other people...nothing. It is one so special I truly hope to have the same with my daughter when I am your age and she is mine. Our road together hasn't always been the easiest. But I've learned nothing ever is. If it's worth having, it's worth fighting for. I'm so glad that you're my Mom. And I know Lily is so glad you're her Nana.

Although military circumstances made it difficult for us to spend time together throughout Lily's first year, I know things will be different now. We had many reasons for moving closer to home. When financial circumstances said we should take a particular opportunity farther away for better benefits, we looked into our hearts and heard our family and friends calling. The choice had been made from the moment we left. And now we are home again.

I hope you have a truly wonderful Mother's Day. And I hope you find only the brightest of blessings in the years to come. Don't worry about me and Lily. We'll be right there beside you.

Love Always,
Natalie Jo