A Mother's Day Tribute: The Strength In Me Began With Her
Celebrating the Woman Who Held Me Together
My mom has always just… been there. I don’t have a first memory, but I do remember being small enough to fit into her arms. I remember the feeling of being held by her, the warmth of her body, the smell of her skin. The kind of comfort that doesn’t need language. Just presence.
That’s still who she is for me.
When I’m unraveling, uncertain, or lost in the meaning of it all, I call her. Sometimes I just need to hear her voice. She always picks up. She always listens. She always shows up with love.
She’s the kind of mom people wish they had.
Kind. Resilient. Hilarious. Generous. Beautiful.
The kind of woman who walks into a room and somehow makes everyone feel safe just by being in it.
The Woman Behind the Title
We’ve always been close, but lately, our relationship feels like it’s bloomed into something even more precious. We talk about everything. She knows everything about my life, and being around her feels like coming home to myself.
But there was this moment, not long ago, that shifted something for me.
We were on a trip together recently in Florida—her happy place. It was the first year I went with her. She was getting ready to go golfing with her friends while I sat by the pool watching her dogs. The sun was shining, and suddenly, she stepped out into this beam of light. She had her little golf outfit on, and I remember looking at her and thinking Damn!
Not only was she absolutely stunning, but her energy was electric. She was radiating something I had never seen before. Her joy. Her freedom. I saw her, maybe for the first time, as more than “just” my mom. I saw her in her element. She was not mothering, not giving—just living. And I felt so happy just looking at her. That’s who she is. That’s who she’s always been.
Sunlight and Strength
There are things I know now about her that I never would’ve guessed growing up. She never played the victim. She protected me from the weight of it all and gave me a childhood full of comfort, safety, and love. Her strength is undeniable.
She’s supported me through PMDD, through grief, through career changes, through breakups, through everything. She’s supported my husband, too. And somehow, in the middle of all that love and caretaking, she still knows how to laugh, pour a drink, and enjoy life.
She’s my blueprint for resilience. My evidence that women can do impossible things. She’s the reason I believe in starting over, in staying kind, in finding joy even when things are hard.
I know moms like her are rare.
And I don’t take it for granted.
Happy Mother’s Day
Mommy, if you’re reading this—and I know you are—I hope you know that I see you. I see everything you are. And I want to be more like you every day. There will never be anyone more important to me than you. No matter where life takes me, you are my home.
Thank you for picking up the phone.
Thank you for holding me. Then, and now.
Thank you for being the person I can count on, every single time.
You are one of the great loves of my life.
I love you endlessly.
And I’ll always be your baby... even when it’s my turn to change your diapers.
With all my heart,
Happy Mother’s Day.
Laila xo