08/15/2025
From your very first bath to your very first day in a college dorm… it feels like these are only a breath apart.
I still remember holding you over that tiny tub, my hands unsure, praying I was doing it right. I didn’t know if I could be enough. You made me a mom, and parenting is the epitome of trial by fire. I may have doubted myself when I started, but all these years later, there’s not a single ounce of uncertainty, I know YOU can do anything.
Between these two moments are thousands of little memories. Giggles and little running feet. Laughter echoing through the house. Car rides with music too loud. Late-night talks. Remember whens. Marking off states, national parks, and too many milestones to count. So many firsts, each one bringing you closer to today.
Raising you, Jude, and Kena is the greatest privilege of my life. Thank you for proving that love, grit, and determination are stronger than circumstance, and for letting me walk beside you through every first so far. I know it wasn’t always easy being the kid raised by the single mom.
I want you to know something clearly -everything I do for you has never been out of obligation. It’s out of love, pride, and a deep belief in the person you are and the person you’re becoming. I’m your biggest fan, your loudest cheerleader, your safe place to land. I’ll help you chase your dreams, fight for you when you need backup, sit quietly on the sidelines when it’s your time to shine, and hold your hand when the road feels uncertain. I’ll watch from afar when you need space to grow, but I’ll never be too far to come running if you call.
This is just the beginning of the next chapter. There are still so many firsts ahead for you, and I’ll be here for every single one. You’ve got this, Ryne and I’ve always, always got you.