Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom,

I shall spare your age but would like to wish you a happy birthday. This marks the first year I am truly on my own with a full time job. While I still can’t make anything without a microwave and would like you to occasionally visit to vacuum, I feel like things have turned out pretty well.

My favorite, most memorable, moments with you include:

First, our 18 hour trek from Springfield to Tempe for my freshman year of college. Specifically, the moment when you turned the music off and said, “I know you are going to have fun and drink but just please don’t drink and drive.”

Second, the moment I let you know about being accepted to train for the F-16. I am not sure if they were tears of fear or happiness, but it was sure memorable. You are notorious for the family crying moments when my delinquent sister and I both happen to converge on Springfield at the same time but I have a feeling this was a slightly different kind of cry.

Third, the only time you tried to ground me in high school. I was a pretty reliable kid but didn’t let you know I was spending the night at a friend’s house that evening. I think I declined to accept the grounding and fortunately we never had another problem.

Finally, all of the times you conveniently interrupted my high school girlfriends and I at just the right moment with offers of cookies or “anything we needed.” Your timing is impeccable.

Oh and that time I was born. I guess that worked out well for me as well.

You are the best cook I know. Seriously. I know everyone says that about their mom but I would take any bet with people who may disagree. I am genuinely impressed and envy your rapport with people and generally attitude toward life.

And best of all, I think I inherited most of your good looks.

While I never said it, I love you.

Son