Dear Mom,

One winter morning, you played outside with me in the snow before I had to go to Kindergarten. I remember that moment so vividly, because I remember thinking how I didn't want our playtime to end.

There was one school field trip that you came to and a girl in my class was being mean to you. I remember being soooo mad at her! How dare she treat you with such disrespect! And then when the field trip was over you asked my teacher if I could go home with you instead of stay at school. She said yes and I was so excited to go home with you.

I woke up one morning to find you asleep on my floor. What you don't know is that I had just awoken from a nightmare in which you and I were in an argument. (Those are the worst nightmares of all.) And there you were sleeping on my floor. Come to find out that you slept in my room because I  was whining in my sleep. 

Do you remember that time I received an award at some Polynesian academic thing? You went out of your way to ask the girls how they straightened their hair. You did so much to help me find a way to have straight hair. Then for my sweet 16, you took me to get my hair chemically straightened. It mostly worked.

I don't think you know how much it meant to me that you were my escort when I went through the Temple. That is one of my most cherished memories. You were there as I made sacred covenants with the Lord. I couldn't have made it there without your love and support.

I think the best thing of all is that you are not the same mom you were back then. You're different. You're more gentle, kind, and loving. You've changed, mom. I've seen you grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally over the past few years. And the times I thought you were going to be mad about something that I did, you treated me with kindness. You're not a perfect mom. And I'm glad that you're not. Seeing you grow and become a strong woman has helped me see that change is real. You've been so accepting of me. You've been so loving and kind as I am trying to figure out who I am and what I want to do. I have a strong testimony of the Gospel, because you instilled that in me. You're beautiful, mom. Thanks for being you. I love you!

Love, Marlisa