Dear sons and daughters,

Mother’s are gems, regardless of the relationship you may or may not have with your mother; she has already given you a lot simply by pushing you out of her body. She carried you for nine long months, nourished you, and provided a place for you to grow before you were even brought into the world. Upon your arrival, she rocked you to sleep, fed you and made funny faces at you to cheer you up and make you smile before you could even say anything to her.

As you progressed in age and began forming ideas of your own, she still loved you even when you messed up. It may not have felt like it, but she did.

You’re her child.

She doesn’t have to tell you every day that she loves you because it’s the little things she does that represent her love: food, shelter, memories, experiences.

The mothers of the world deserve more than a day to be reminded that they are loved and cherished for all that they do because they do more than we could ask them to do; they do more than anyone should be expected to do.

My mother is the rock in my family, without her things simply wouldn’t get done. Without her, I’m pretty sure, my dad, brother, and I would cease to exist.

We are fortunate to have her around, and instead of wishing her a happy Mother’s Day, I’m simply going to remind her that I love her.

Dear Mothers,

You don’t receive the recognition you should. Yeah, one day a year we celebrate our mothers, but why do we need to specify a day to honor you when we should be appreciative every day? Why do we need a day to cherish you when we should cherish you for everything you’ve already done for us?

You are caring, full of wisdom and insight, and intelligent. You each do things differently, but you all somehow know how to do it. You’re graceful even when your life is a mess; you’re loving even when your kids have completely messed up. Your never ending servitude to your children has no limits, and that is something to be proud of. Who cares if you’re a working mother who may not spend as much time with her kids as a stay at home mom, who cares if you can give your kids everything, or barely afford to give them the necessities—all kids need is you. They simply need you, in their life, to guide them, protect them, and remind them that even when life is crappy, that you’re there and they have you. We are infinitely in debt to you and all that you have given us.

To my mother:

I love you.

No matter how many fights we get in, no matter how many times I have some kind of excuse for why I didn’t wash the dishes or clean my room, I love you.

No matter how many times you are upset with me for not living up to my potential, I love you.

I love you for every opportunity you have afforded me.

I love you for every memory I have with you.

I love you for being my mother and my father for the past 20 years of my life.

I love you for being a constant source of wisdom—especially when I was being stupid.

I love you for reminding me that our relationship is priceless and I could never ask for a better mother.

I love you for the countless tasks you do around the house even though you that’s not your job—it’s mine.

I love you for the random acts of kindness you give to me.

I love you for the late night chats and the early morning wake-up calls.

I love you for being my teacher.

I love you for being my mentor.

I love you for being a strong, independent and full of life individual.

I love you for being you.

If I can one day give back everything you have given me, I will, because you deserve more love and respect than anyone in my life.

Mom, my creator, my life line, my infinite source of reason: Happy Mother’s Day, but more importantly, I love you and thank you for all that you’ve given me.

Regardless of your situation with your mother, thank her because without her choices you may not have become who you are today.