Mother/Daughter Dances & Birthday Love for Mom!

That is the DIY Yarn Wreath I made for my mom recently and gave to her as a birthday gift. And yes folks, the easy step guide is coming tomorrow!

But today you get to meet the wonderful birthday girl behind the wreath inspiration. This my friends, is my mentor, my hero, my gorgeous ma…

Another year goes by that I am not able to spend the day with her, but I’ll celebrate her from afar. Without her I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. Her faith, nurturing ways, unconditional love, drive, work ethic, strength and independence gave my sisters and I the foundation we needed to be good, strong women and wives. And for most of my younger days, she did alone as a single mom.

There were times I might have been a snappy, ungrateful, and bad mouthing teenager, but I finally get it. I do. I have a greater appreciation and understanding now of all the sacrifices she made and worked so hard to provide for us. And the four of us girls (with one set of twins), everything we saw or touched we needed of course. Despite us being demanding, moody, hyperactive, and always getting into something new {and not always good}, she still loved us unconditionally with all her heart and soul and let us know it.

I feel so blessed as I recount all those years she comforted us when we were sick, bathed us and forced us to brush our teeth when we didn’t want to, taught us to ride a bike and tie our shoes, brushed my big and crazy hair, made so many dinners after a long day at work, and after I didn’t make the cheerleading squad in 8th grade, wiped my tears away, turned up the radio, and blasted Des’ree’s song “You Gotta Be”:

Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don’t be ashamed to cry
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Just like in the photo above, there have been so many times when she was in the “background” and let us shine. Always so proud of our accomplishments. She celebrated BIG when I did make cheer in 9th and again later when I made the dance team.  She never complained about dropping off or picking up my sisters from choir practice and was the proudest mama at their school performances.  She got up extra early every morning as all good moms and dads do to make sure we got up on time, had everything we needed and were dressed and felt good before every first day of school, before all our homecoming dances and high school proms, and finally again on our wedding day as the Mother of the Bride.

I honestly never imagined what I wanted my wedding day to be like. I didn’t have a favorite flower or dress style. I didn’t know what I wanted my ring or cake to look like. The one thing I did know for sure though, was the song I would one day dance to with my mother. I knew ever since I was little that it would be “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler.

The song is about who and what my mom has always been for me- the wind beneath my wings. I changed the “my” to “our” in the embroidered message (quote) from the song for her wreath (no it wasn’t a typo, lol), because she’s carried a lot of us along the way. Over the years as a mom, sister, aunt, friend, and healthcare professional who’s worked with sick and well children for almost 30 years, she’s let so many of us have “our” moment.  Always doing what she can to make our moments count and wanting so badly for our dreams to come true. That’s what makes her happy.

See, she was even my seamstress on my wedding day. =)

But it is she, who is the superstar in my world. I know I probably don’t tell her often enough how much I appreciate all that she’s done for me, but I pray hard that she knows it. I tear up every time I think about dancing with my mom on my wedding day. It is one of the highlights of my entire wedding experience and will be a moment I cherish in my mind and close to my heart for all my life.

Here’s to wishing my wonderful mom, aka “Ma” a great, big, happy, happy birthday!

I love, respect and admire you more than you’ll ever know.

“Wind Beneath My Wings”

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that’s your way.
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I’ve got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
You’re everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?
You’re everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.