You are "my kind of wonderful" Mom!  I count one of my biggest blessings in life as having you as my Mom.  You have made life so fun for all of us growing up.  Our days were spent playing outside in our little neighborhood or swimming in our pool.   Once a week you would pile as many kids as you could into our car and drive to the beach.  You loved the beach as much as we did and hated to go home.   So began my love affair with the ocean and it still continues to this day. 

You are sunshine and warmth wrapped in the most beautiful package!  I laugh when Sophie and Max "ooooh and ahhhhhh" about me when I dress up.  You would  think I was Miss America.  Funny thing is,  I DID have Miss America (or close enough) as my Mom and I didn't even notice it.  You were just my Mom.  You were that steady that kept the boat from rocking too hard, you always tried to shield me from the storms that blew at our home. 

You were and are such an amazing example of a Godly wife.  You and Dad always seemed so in love.  You two have this connection and an understanding of one another that is very unique.  You were such a good team and it always appeared that you were a united front.  It was a beautiful thing for a child to grow up with parents who love each other.   What a sense of security that brought  to my life.  Now that I am married and I know the work that goes into a marriage, I still am in awe of you.  You make it seem so effortless.    

I treasure our times together as adults.  I loved our trips to New York and Boston.  Our "girl get-away" trips to Mendocino and La Jolla.  There is nothing like having a close relationship with you as an adult.

Thank you for the love that spills out of you when you look at me.  You don't know you are doing it but I see it.  You are that soft spot for me and I know when I fall and need  dusting off, I can go  to you.  I will be given Godly advice, just enough love (I don't like to be too coddled), and just enough of a push to get me back on my feet again.  

You are the wife that I want to be, the Mother that I strive to be, the cook that I will never be,  and the creator I admire.   You are the quiet, elegant, graceful, feminine,
women that movies are made about.  You are goodness and grace tied up in a pretty package.  I wish you the happiest of Birthdays!