Dear Mom,
It has officially been a month and three days since I moved to college/ haven’t seen you. Every time we talk on the phone and I say “I miss you”, you always think I’m just saying it, or every time I miss a call and take a little while to call back, you think it’s because I’m not thinking about you, but the truth is, I’m just trying to find a good chunk of time to focus all of my attention on you, and a part of my heart will always be wishing you were here with me and I wasn’t four hours away.
Our relationship has really fluctuated throughout the years. When I was younger, I wanted to be independent, and refused to truly let you in. I thought being so close to my mom wasn’t really “cool”. I think you may have noticed, so you kept gently reminding me that you’re always there and you’ll love me no matter what I do. Finally, I took your word for it and opened up, and our relationship has never been the same. You have been my best friend ever since. You constantly remind me that you’re not my friend, you’re my mother, but to me you are both. I consider you one of my best friends in this whole world, and in the same, the greatest mother I could’ve ever been blessed with. Leaving you was the hardest part about going to college, because I’m not only leaving my mom but the person closest to my heart. Even though I have some of the best friends here, you are still the person I go to when I really want to talk. You are the person I go to when I really need to feel some extra love. You are the person that gives me the most comfort and makes me feel the most safe and secure. No matter where I am or how old I get, that won’t change.
I will forever feel lucky for the relationship we’ve developed. We have had the best of times, and you have seen me at my absolute worst. Letting you really see who I am and being so open with you is one of the best decisions I have ever made. You are my role model and inspiration, and one day I hope to be even half the mother you are.
Even though I am officially an adult and on my own now, I will always be your baby girl, even though I denied that for the longest time. I can’t even begin to thank you enough for the love and support you’ve given me.
Sending you my love from Philly,
Marina