Then, a few years later around early middle school, she and my dad both just embarrassed me, being around them in public was a humiliation most of the time, but in the walls of our own home, I still admired her.
THEN, came my precious pre-teen and early teenage years. I just knew her one mission in life was to make me miserable and unpopular. We would have scream matches that ended with both of us in tears. I remember being a selfish brat and making her cry, which I now still feel HORRIBLE about. I didn't like her, and didn't mind telling her how much I didn't like her, but for some reason she just brushed it off and kept loving me unconditionally.
Finally, I started growing up a little and realized all the times she was out to destroy my life and friendships were actually for the best. All the times she said "No", she had a good reason. I began to appreciate her knowledge, I still got defensive on occasion when I didn't get my way or when I chose to bring home a loser and she would bluntly express that he was a loser :) This is when we started to develop our friendship. She was always there. All through high school, she was at every event as my biggest fan. When everyone else fell through, she was there.
When it came time for me to leave for college, I was itching to grow up and be independent. I remember a month or two before I left home, I would threaten not to come back and visit, I am sure she laughed so hard inside. My sweet mama and I cleaned, decorated, and moved me in with my dad and brother's help, then we had to say goodbye. I remember it like it was yesterday, I begged her to stay one more day, but she had to leave and let me grow up. The second my family left me in this new home in a strange, new city, I felt like I was as dependent as a 5 year old again, I wanted to pack up and meet them back at Corner, I called her crying countless nights and she just comforted and supported me the best she could from 200 miles away. I visited home EVERY chance I got, there wasn't a weekend my first semester that I stayed away, it was just as hard for her as it was for me. It was like being separated from your best friend. Somehow, I survived that first year and four more after that, to today. Each year, we have become closer and closer and I develop more respect and love for her everyday. I don't know why she put up with me through some of those difficult years, but I am so thankful she did and we can laugh at it now.
I can't wait to have babies one day, FAR from now. But, when I do, I want to be just like my mom. She has always told me how terrified she was when I was born because babies don't come with rule books, but whatever she figured out was perfect. I love you, sweet mother, and am so blessed to be your daughter!
On a similar- since it's Mother's Day, but completely different- because it has nothing to do with REAL moms, Lance and I have expanded our family and have a sweet new baby- Bo Jackson. He is a 6 month old, dapple colored dachshund, and absolutely precious. We rescued him about a week and a half ago, and he is such a sweetheart. Big brother, Maximus, is still trying to figure out if Bo is another dog or a toy. Max and Bo have both been sick babies this week, and Lance and I have spent more time (and money) at the vet than we desired. Bo has kennel cough and Maximus somehow got pink eye. They seem to both be doing better now, such a relief.
Lance and I are very settled into married life and enjoying it more and more each day. I graduate on Friday, and hopefully will have a job very soon. Lance is still working on his dissertation, and we are praying about our future after he graduates. For now, we are just enjoying our little family :)
