Then They Do.

My Mom and Dad both had their birthdays this week.
Let's face it, moms and dads never get enough credit or recognition, and they have the hardest jobs on the planet. I have been so blessed to have mine.

So this is for the mom and dad that changed all my diapers, heard me say my first word, dropped me off at kindergarten, kissed my boo-boos, held me when I cried, helped me grow up, sent me off to college, and watched me marry my best friend. You've been there through it all.

Parents simply want their child to be happy. It motivates everything they do. I've seen it millions of times-- in the lunches my mom packed for me, in the car-ride talks, the stern reminders and the disappointed looks… in the sweet, handwritten letters, the ice cream cones, and the everyday efforts of a mom and dad.

I think Trace Adkins summed up parenthood pretty nicely:
"You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true. Then they do."

Mine have. Thanks, Mom and Dad. I love you.

My Mama Llama Loo

1. My mama knows how to remedy cramps, moodiness, heartaches, and bad days. She's basically an expert at it. I can't count how many times she came to my rescue with hugs, sloppy fries, milkshakes, blankets, cuddling, and a chick-flick. She is my favorite.

2. My mama knows me better than almost anyone. She knows what I'm thinking before I say it. She always knew when I was having a bad day by my quirky little habits like deep cleaning my room. She has helped me discover who I am… she's helped me figure out my strengths and my weaknesses… and how to use those strengths in my life. I can't count how many times I've called her asking for help in figuring out my life and what I'm going to do. She always reminds me of who I am…and that gives me drive.

3. My mama became my best friend because of Taylor Swift. I remember one time we were driving in the car during my Freshman year of high school… listening to Taylor Swift. And my mom told me a story from high school that was exactly what Taylor Swift was singing about. And that blew my mind at the time. My mom knows what that feels like? Wow. That changed a lot for me. I saw my mom differently… I gave her the credit she deserved all along. I knew she was like me…she'd gone through it all before. I trusted her in a different way after that.

4. I remember during my sophomore year… I came home from school, a heartbroken 15-year-old. That dumb boy had led me on and then said things so mean…. I laid in bed and cried. My mama sat there and talked to me. And cried with me because she knew what that felt like. Regardless of the fact that it was teenage, high school "heartbreak" and drama. That didn't matter to her. All that mattered was that it was important to me. Those were real feelings of pain and hurt. And my mom never tried to discredit what I was feeling… she never chalked it up to a phase I was going through. She didn't try to belittle my feelings. She made me feel like my feelings were valid and real. And that made a world of difference for me. I'll always be grateful for that.

5. My mom and I can get in these giggly moods together. We'll sit in the back of the car, whispering to each other like little girls. And the people up front are wondering what the heck we're talking about. We just smile. I love my mama for being my friend like that….for talking with me, laughing with me… sharing inside jokes.

6. I love my mom because she made everything that was important to me, important to her. My friends were welcomed with open arms into our house… anytime. And our house became the gathering place for most activities. My mom didn't go into her room and close the door… she talked to each of my friends individually. She played the role of "second mom." She fed them and learned about them. My mom loves my friends…first because I loved them, then because she grew to love them too. That has always and will always mean so much to me.

7. My mama has worked harder than anyone else to maintain our relationship since I moved to college. I get texts almost daily reminding me that she loves me and prays for me… And I don't think she has any idea how many times those little texts and phone calls have been the answer to my prayers.

8. My mama trusts and values my opinion. I have always felt that way. That has given me self confidence, discipline, self control, and a feeling of duty. I know she is counting on me. My mom turns to me for help and input…ideas, suggestions… and that makes me feel wanted, needed, valued. I never want to let her down.

9. My mama is one of the most selfless people I know. She's shown to me through example that my time and efforts should be about others. My family always teases her because anytime she makes something (a craft, a dessert, etc.) her first comment is, "Who should we give this too?" But that's my mom. She's never thinking about herself… always about others. I've learned from her what charity looks like. She lives it.

10. I love my mommy for teaching me how to be a woman. She has taught me what my role is…what God intended it to be. She's shown me the beauty in it. And because of the life she's led, I love and respect and understand that role. And I know how sacred it is… and I want nothing less.
I'm grateful to my mom for being there for every moment of my growing up… I'm grateful that she made sure she was there when I came home from school. She was there to wake me up in the morning. She was there to kiss me goodnight. I know that isn't a privilege all women get… and there are many sacrifices that are made to make it a possibility. 
 I'm grateful my mama was home for me. I knew I could always count on her to be there. A mom really  is the epitome of "home."

I love you, Mama. Thank you for helping me find myself.

My Papanwa

1. My daddy has always treated me like a princess. Since I was born, I've been his little girl, his "sweetheart baby angel cakes." And I always will be. He was the first man I ever loved and the first I gave my heart to. I have a stack of letters I've saved from him over the years…the ones he sent to girls camp, trek, etc. And even the more stern one he sent in response to my "we shouldn't be moving" letter back in fourth grade. My daddy has a way with words. He has a way of conveying his love… and treating me like a princess no matter how non-princessy I may act. 

2. I will always treasure those late night talks on my parents bed. They usually involved me crying a ton, and my mom and dad crying with me too. I remember my daddy always being the voice of reason-- and reminding me that whatever trial I was facing, though hard at the time, would not be the end. I remember my daddy always comforting me, giving wise counsel, listening to me, believing me, and leaving me with one of my favorite phrases from him: "This too shall pass." 

3. I remember car rides to school with my daddy. And our routine slugging each other's leg on the way. Even when there weren't many words spoken, I felt safe and happy and proud to show up to school and kiss my daddy goodbye. When I found myself surrounded by kids and friends who didn't have a dad in the picture, I felt so grateful to know I had a daddy who was sticking around. 

4. I have always loved my daddy's ability to feel. He has true and sincere empathy. When I hurt, I know he hurts too. It meant so much to me when I would turn to him and tell him about my friends and the trials they were going through, and how much it hurt… and even if he didn't know them, he'd tear up and cry with me. I know that is what the Savior would do. That's what he did for Mary and Martha. I have always loved that about my daddy. He has the gift of weeping. He feels. 

5. I remember one time in particular I was really struggling. I felt weighed down by decisions I had to make, the burdens of friends, etc. I went to my daddy and asked for a blessing. Much of what I was dealing with was confidential and so I couldn't tell him much really. But he gave me a beautiful blessing. It was so specific to what I needed. It was such a testimony to me that my Heavenly Father knows me. My daddy helped strengthen my testimony. And I will forever be grateful for a daddy who lives worthily of the priesthood… who lives worthily to be called upon at any time to bless his family and his home. That has always been a comfort to me.

6. I cherish my daddy because he never gave up on me. When I went through a stage when I was mean to him… when I ignored what he said… he kept trying. He kept teaching. He kept loving me. And the lessons I learned because of him were so powerful. I learned that the "laws" and "rules" our Father gives us can sometimes seem harsh and overbearing, but that is only because we cannot fully see the picture. They are really just the loving advice of a good parent.

7. My daddy has always told me I'm beautiful. And that has meant more to me than any compliment from a boy. 

8. My daddy is thoughtful and kind. Over the summer when Dal and I were apart for our engagement, I remember one time in particular there was a conflict in schedules and when I would be coming home. Dal had been through some traumatic things and needed to see me, but I was scheduled to go home before he got back. I was so caught up in emotion and confusion and heartache-- I couldn't think clearly. I remember sobbing over the phone…with no idea what I should do. But my daddy stepped in and talked me down. He bought me multiple plane tickets. And reminded me that he works so hard so that he can do things like that for his family. I have always appreciated that my daddy has always made me feel like I am worth  it. I am worth the time and the money. Because of what he has done and said, I know that he works hard for me. To provide for my needs- physical, emotional. I feel secure and safe and I know that money is not that important in the grand scheme of things.

9. My daddy has trusted me. And I've felt it. Ever since I can remember, I've known that my daddy believes in me, knows my character, and trusts me to make the right decisions. He helped me grow up and mature because of that. I began making decisions with more awareness of the consequences…of how they affected others…. That has made a world of difference for my self-confidence and my ability to make choices. Because I know my daddy counts on me and expects good from me, I have always always tried to live up to that. He has helped me realize my divine nature and my infinite potential….and I think that's what Heavenly Father would want. 

10. My daddy was a huge part of how I found, held onto, and got sealed to Dal. I don't know if I would have if it weren't for him. My daddy has always set the example of the man I wanted to marry. I lost sight of that for a while. But my daddy kept being that example for me. I remember him telling me over and over "I pray for you and that you'll be sealed to your sweetheart in the temple. That is what you are worth. Nothing less." I grew to understand what that meant, and value a temple marriage before I even really understood much of the temple. When I met Dal, I knew he was the one because that's when I finally understood what my daddy had wanted for me all along. I felt this overwhelming feeling when I looked at dal, that he was exactly what my dad talked about. The list my daddy would have made for the guy I needed to find was complete. And when I talked to my daddy about Dal, he felt peace about it. And that made me feel even better. My daddy approved-- and that meant I was finally doing something right. I'll always cherish the journal entry my daddy sent me that recorded his conversation with dal before dal proposed. I love hearing him call me his princess. I love his sweet spirit and the love he has for my husband. I loved dancing with him at my wedding-- and feeling complete peace as he gave me away to Dal. 

You've done good, daddy. I couldn't ask for better.  I love you. <3