a little post-Mother's Day post....

I'm a day late, I know. But moms can be celebrated everyday.

Listen, listen.

I know the holiday passed. And I simply don’t care, I’m still going to write about it!

First off,

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, aunts, grandmothers, girlfriends, stepmoms, and step-in mom’s in between who read this blog. Y’all are rock stars. Seriously.

There are so many women in my life who have influenced me, supported me, and loved me to where I am today. Especially in this last semester, I’m incredibly thankful for all the women in my family. For all the little, maternal texts of encouragement, for asking how I am, they are seen and appreciated more than you know.

It’s also a bittersweet reminder of the women who aren’t here, but their mannerisms live on inside of you still. Little reminders of how they aren’t fully gone, they live on.

I DID NOT INTENTIONALLY WRITE THIS TO BE THIS EMOTIONAL.

Here’s what I wanted to share!

I wanted to share one of my favorite memories with my mom as a kid.

When I was six or seven or old you are in the first or second grade, every Wednesday my mom would take me out to lunch. Mind you, this woman is a teacher. Thankfully, she taught at the same school I attended.

She’d check me out, and we’d go to Wendy’s.

I would order a chicken nugget meal with a side salad, fries, or chili and the occasional Frosty. She’d order the same or a chicken salad.

We’d eat while listening to this Motown CD (specifically the first 3 tracks: “Dancing In The Street” by Martha and the Vandellas, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye, and “Baby Love” by the Supremes).

I’ve always been a fan of ritual and routine, and this was a solid one whilst growing up. We never had to have deep conversations or formality, we just enjoyed each other’s company while eating chicken nuggets.

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When I think of my mom, I think about her recipes and her creativity in the kitchen.

While I don’t say it enough, I admire her playfulness in the kitchen. I’ve only seen that woman follow a recipe a handful of times!

She loves Italian food, comfort, and a good olive oil.

kind of random but an Italian spot I visited a few weeks ago where the entire time I thought, “Nan would have a party in here”

Some of my mom’s favorite concoctions have been her BLT Pizza (which deserves its own post), a Mediterranian-inspired chicken meatloaf (it’s a party), and recently Yum Yums? It’s an interesting name choice, but they’re peanut-buttery, chocolate oatmeal balls/cookies? She got the recipe from her mom…I really don’t know, but I ate almost half a dozen in one sitting last Christmas. They’re fantastic!

Anywho!

Text your mom…(this message includes me).

With Love,

Cara