Momma

This week celebrates mothers.

I am biased, but I sure do think my momma takes the top spot. My mom has taught me a lot, been a friend, been a mentor, been a discipliner. She has scolded me when I needed scolding, and tenderly held me when I needed holding. Momma is who I went to when I didn’t want to tell dad something quite yet. Mom is who I went to when I wanted to go shopping. Mom is who I went to when friends were being mean. Momma is who took me shopping when I came home crying in the 6th grade because I didn’t have friends at my new school. Momma always knew how to make me feel confident. And, you can always count on mom being honest with you.

Momma always knows best.

Momma is who held my hair back so many times when I woke up sick. Momma is who would play cards at 1 AM when the lights went out. Momma is who would scratch my back until I fell asleep. Momma is who worked all day and then would come home and cook us all dinner before 5:30. Momma was a teacher, but NEVER brought home work until after we all went to bed just so that she was being mom at home- not Mrs. Cheves. (Both of my parents did this so well, and I am SO grateful for it.)

Momma taught me to always wear full panties in a dress to avoid any mishaps. She is who taught me how to shave my legs and to put on mascara. Momma believed in “Mental Health Days” periodically. Momma taught me that maybe I just didn’t want to date, and that was okay. Momma was in the stands for every single soccer game, every single dance recital, every single choir concert, every single dance competition, every single vocal lesson, and every single basketball + football game performance. Momma learned to love anything I loved. Momma is also who drove me to all of the above. She sat in the cold press box with me as I sang the national anthem every week, and she would help me find my starting pitch. Momma taught me to drink my coffee black and to enjoy a dark merlot. Momma made every DIY birthday party happen for each of her kids- decorating the cake, cutting the crust off of every PB&J, and making us feel special. Momma was famous for her spaghetti.

I love to watch Friends because of my momma. I know every single word to The Sound of Music because of my momma. I have watched Gone With the Wind more times than I know because of my momma’s love for Tara and history. I can sing every Abba song with my mom because of our love for Mama Mia. I have been to just about every national monument on the east coast because of my momma. I love to know the history and reason for things as they are now because of my momma.

Momma is gentle. Momma is kind. Momma cares. Momma is compassionate. Momma is tender-hearted. Momma is loving. Momma sees the best in everyone. Momma always has something positive to say about everybody (even when I am ranting and just want her to agree with me!). Momma is goofy. Momma is competitive. Momma loves a good draft beer. Momma is the first person on a dance floor. Momma is a gypsy soul. Momma is adventurous. Momma loves Jesus. Momma is prayerful.

My mom has been my biggest fan since the day I was born. She and my dad both have supported each of their kids in absolutely anything they ever wanted to do. Anything we ever came to them about wanting to try or do, they always said yes. Don’t hear that wrong- they told me no a lot and I got my fair share of spankings- I am saying they said yes to chasing after any dream we ever came up with. And, believe me, I had a few. They always stood by me. Momma is the core of our home. She is the heart of our family. Even five hours away from one another, momma finds a way to be present. She comes to special Sundays at Anchor (she takes pride that she is even in Anchor’s opening video haha). When I told her I was nervous about an event, she was not only here but she brought everyone she possibly could to support me. She is always my biggest fan. And, likewise, I am hers.

I know you all love your moms, and you could probably write an ode to them like this one, too. I hope you DO write them a letter and celebrate everything you can think of about them. But this week I celebrate Laurie Anne Davis Cheves. She is beautiful, she has great teeth, she has bright blue eyes and dark brown hair, and though she would never think it about herself- she has great legs. I said it, momma! She is stunning in every way possible.

Happy Mother’s Day (/WEEK!) to all you mommas. Whether your first or your 30th, I hope you feel loved.

And, to my momma, Happy Mother’s Day to the best woman I know.

xo- Han