Love Notes

My mom is currently away visiting her family. I don't like to call her and bug her when she takes these trips because it's not often she gets to see her family.

Which means I've been missing her like something terrible here lately.

I was looking through some old folders and books and kept finding little love notes my mom had written me.

When I was younger and still lived at home, my mom would always leave love notes around the house. Sometimes, I'd wake up to one on my dresser. Sometimes, I'd be surprised to find one on my placemat when I went to eat breakfast. When I'd go away for competition weekends, she always managed to sneak one in my bag.

When I moved away for the first time, Mums would mail me tiny trinkets to brighten my day. She always managed to hide a love note in the trinket.

My favorite thing Mums did was for my sister. After my sister left home, she really missed family. She told Mums one day that she just missed her hugs and kisses. So, Mums went to the grocery store, bought some Hershey's Hugs and Kisses, and mailed them to my sister. With a little love note, of course!

Now that I'm so far away, most of Mums' love notes are mailed. But it's always such a great feeling to open your mailbox to find a love note from your mom!

When I was home for break, Mums hid a love note in one of my textbooks. I found it on a day I was really stressed, lost in that topic, and ready to give up. And then suddenly, I turned to the page to find one of her love notes.

I've saved a lot of her love notes through the years, even those written on a simple post-it.

Looking back, I'm not sure what compelled me to save all of her love notes, but I sure am glad I did!

If nothing else, I want to be more like Mums. Her random acts of kindness through her love notes always manage to suddenly turn a bad day around.

Mums, I know there were times growing up where you had to work more than you wanted to. I know there were times where you felt bad about leaving a simple love note on our placemats because we hadn't seen you in a few days due to your job. But, thanks for taking the time to share your love - whether it was through a present, Hallmark card, or a post-it. Your simple acts of kindness have really meant a lot to me, both then and now.

Love and miss you tons, Mums!!