Hey, Mama, do you remember that year–that one Valentine’s Day–God, it was years ago…I think it was the year I’d just started teaching high school English, and was adjusting and single and trying so desperately to find my way? Do you remember that February 14, when, miles away, I sent you a card, and you sent me a card, and it turned out that we’d both picked the exact same Valentine card for one another?
Do remember the phone call? The way we laughed so hard at the fact that two women, miles away, studied seven overcrowded card kiosks and came up with the same “perfect” words to give to one another?
I love that. I loved that moment, opening the envelope and seeing that familiar verse staring right back at me.
I love that we can channel heart and mind and end up in the same place, although I will probably curse more than you’d like along the way.
Hey, Mama. Do you remember the walks? The long, three-to five-milers? How long did we do that–dang–5 years? 7? In blazing sun or crazy cold (remember the frostbite you got on your nose that one time when we decided that -4degrees wasn’t a big deal?), where I’d move my legs and open my heart about high-school angst, or you’d tell some crazy old family story, or if we were just soul-tired, we’d walk in silence, but together?
Everyone in the neighborhood knew us; if not by name, just by sight. “The Walkers.”
I love that. It was nuts, but I still love it. I also love that the few times my sister walked with you, you often sent her home mid-walk, alone, because she was so angry and so fractious, even though it’s mean of me to feel that way. Never, not once, did you send me home. We always returned to home base together. Sometimes exhausted, sometimes exhilarated, sometimes troubled, but always together.
Is it weird to send your mother a Valentine? Is it weird to walk beside her, year after year, no matter the weather? Seriously, I don’t know. That’s just what we did. It was our way, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe the frostbite and the sunburns, but still.
This Mother’s Day, I’d just like to express my thanks. Again and over and over and forever. Wherever you are, wherever we are going, you will always be my True North. You will always be there, just like that Valentine card that we both knew held our hearts. You are always in mine.
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful pictures, beautiful words, as usual. How blessed you are to have your mother, to have that beautiful relationship. Wishing you many, many more Mother’s Days with such an abundance of memories and health for you both to share together. XOXO
(Dang it! Stop making me cry! )
Happy Mother’s day to you both. xo
You and your mother are so beautiful together! Happy Mother’s Day to both of you. =)
To send the very same valentine to each other shows not only a bond, but a soul-connection. Yes, she is your mama and you are her daughter, but not all mothers and daughters share that. This was such a wonderful letter. Happy mother’s day to both of you!
Alita
This is the kind of stuff that brings tears to my eyes. Happy Mother’s Day to you, and to your awesome mom.
Velva
Why didn’t warn me to get the Kleenex before reading?
Happy Mother’s Day!
Quite possibly the sweetest non-Valentine to your true Valentine ever!
Happy Mother’s Day! To mama. And to you, Dana. You are two amazing women!
Love you,
Sarah F*ight* xoxo Keep on pushin’ on.
What else can I say! Brought tears to my eyes too. It always has been, and continues to be the best of all relationships. Beautifully done, TKW.
Love you, Daddy.
Not weird at all…sending Valentines…going on walks. Just really really sweet. Really. Going to go find the tissues now. Happy Mother’s Day to you and to your Mom.
Isn’t it wonderful that everything your mom gave you is now yours to give your daughters in your own mom way….Beautiful pictures.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and your Mom.
♥
Happy Mother’s Day ladies, and I LOVE your mum’s dress in the first pic- beautiful!
Thanks for the sob. Now my mascara, which was still on from last night, is really looking pretty.
Such a beautiful tribute! My own mother always told me I walked too slow to walk with her when I was a kid (it was her private time), but she’s my True North too.
You’re not supposed to make me cry on Mother’s Day! This is so beautiful!
Beautiful post. Love that first picture of your mom.
This post touched my heart. Beautiful.
I don’t have anywhere near this kind of closeness with my mother, but you touched my heart with this post.
You’re so lucky to have such a fantastic relationship with your mom :).
Such beautiful words.
Beautiful!
And what a super photo that last one it!
Good on you. (and your mom)
Your relationship with your Mama just shines.
I love the way you love your Mama. All girls should be as lucky as us.
Beautiful. That is all.
We are so lucky to have Moms that are our “true north”. Beautiful. I hope you both enjoyed a beautiful mother’s day together.
TKW, lovely tribute to your mother. How lucky she is that she happened to give birth to a daughter with an identical heart.
Happy belated Mother’s Day!
A beautifull tribute.
A belated happy mothers day to the both of you.
Tears. What a gorgeous relationship. I wish I had that with my mom. I hope I have something like that with my girls.
Wow. What an extraordinary relationship! I can only hope for the same with my girls someday.
You are so very lucky. But you already knew that :)
Sorry I’m so late to this party… (This little momma has been swamped…)
All I can say is this is beautiful. And your mother is most fortunate to have you as her daughter.
That first photo honestly took my breath away. And then your words…they brought on a flood of tears. I’m so happy you have this relationship with your mom. I hope to have it with my own daughter.
Liz,
I know! I so did not have that sense of style when I was young.
You guys are like soul-sisters, anam cara and mother-daughter. Such a passionate love that seems to enshroud the two of you in a profound bond of love and friendship, of family and yet of something so soulful it seems to transcend typical limits. Thanks for the inspiring love, it ripples to all of us who are willing to let the waves lap at our hearts.
Oh this is beautiful. I am also so loving your mama’s tiny little waist and your awesome hair in the second photo – I permed my hair in 10th grade to look like that. I really love that you sent each other the same card and that you took all those walks. I am warm in my heart now!! Thank you!
Pamela,
Believe it or not, that’s not a perm! I have wicked naturally curly hair and we were in Ireland. The moisture did me in! But it was magic.
I think your relationship with your mom is rare. What a blessing!
Now about that dress in the first picture. I covet! Totally love it.
Paula,
The woman has always had a wicked eye for style. Me? Yoga pants.
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