My girl

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How on earth did I get so lucky to have a daughter who has been by my side all these years? I find myself asking that more and more lately, especially when I come across photos like the one I love so much, her tiny hand resting so naturally on mine. It’s such a small moment, frozen in time, but it somehow holds everything: trust, closeness, and a bond that has only deepened with the years.

I love my boys dearly, in that fierce, unconditional way only a mother can, but there’s something uniquely special about the relationship I share with my daughter. I truly can’t imagine life without her. She has been woven into the fabric of my everyday life for as long as I can remember.

When I taught dance, she was right there beside me as my assistant, never needing to be asked, just naturally stepping into that role. And now, as I teach mahjong, nothing has changed. She’s still my sidekick, still showing up, still by my side without hesitation. It’s one of those quiet, beautiful constants in life that I never take for granted.

Even when she got married and started building a life of her own, she intentionally stayed close. While searching for a home, her one non-negotiable was that it had to be within five minutes of mine. Five minutes. In a world where children often move far away, chasing careers and new beginnings, she chose closeness. And because of that, I’ve been given the incredible gift of not only having her nearby, but my grandsons as well.

I still smile thinking about her high school years, when she and her friend would come home every single day after school. They’d burst through the door, full of school stories, eager to see what treats I had baked that afternoon. We’d sit together, playing Boggle or whatever silly board game we were into at the time. Those ordinary days were the best. 

She has always been strikingly beautiful, one of those people who lights up a room without even trying. And yet, she doesn’t quite see it. I suppose that’s part of what makes her even more beautiful… that quiet humility, that unawareness of just how stunning she truly is.

Now, with her birthday just around the corner, I find myself in a bit of disbelief. How is she this age already? Wasn’t I just in my early 40s? Somehow, the years have slipped by faster than I ever thought possible. Time has a way of doing that, moving quietly, steadily, without asking permission.

Despite how quickly the years have passed, they’ve brought us even closer. We’ve grown side by side, supporting each other through every stage, every challenge, every joy. Our relationship hasn’t faded with time, it’s deepened, strengthened, and become something I treasure more every day.

She is kind, thoughtful, beautiful, and incredibly smart. Truly, what more could a mother ask for? I look at her and feel nothing but gratitude for who she is, for the life she’s built, and for the simple, profound gift of having her right here beside me… just like always. Love my girl....ok, full grown lady now! 

To my daughter: Never forget that I love you.” — Mom