My mom and I did a lot of growing up together. She had me as a twenty year old, and as a 24 year old now I can see all the things we learned about life as I formed into a functioning adult.

For instance:

• Don’t store the iron on the top shelf (twice that fell on your head, Mom, twice).
• Jet skis do not fix broken hearts, but they do help.
• It is easier to be alone, but it’s not better.
• When the dishwasher is empty, do not for the love of all that is holy, leave yourdishes in the sink.
• Perfection is not a requirement for family.

When people ask me what my Mom is like, I tell them that she is the kind of person who answers in detail when a cashier asks how her day has been. She is selfless and friendly to a fault. She works harder than anyone I know. She doesn’t understand how hilarious I am, but I remind her all of the time.

At sixteen, I thought that the only way to escape depression and sadness was to get out of my hometown. So I told my mom that I was moving from the place she’d lived for her entire life. I went to live with my dad here in Austin and when things went inevitably south, she gave up this incredible life she had built for herself and moved here. My mom isn’t a big talker, but she taught me that I am worth loving with thousands of acts like the big move. Her actions have always been what she uses to tell me how much she loves me.

I have had a messy, chaotic upbringing riddled with complications from health and wealth and religion – but if it wasn’t for my mother I am 100% certain I would never have found any happiness in this life.

Because the women who mold us and shape us deserve pretty things, you can use the code MOMSRULE on my Etsy shop through next weekend for FREE SHIPPING!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms by blood and by right 🙂