You choose mom everyday.
You remain loyal when things aren’t working in that moment, when you fall on hard times, when you struggle, when there’s doubt. You choose her every day. I can see in your eyes that you would never desert mom. That you would never leave her alone in any way, that you choose her fully. But I not only see your love when you look at her, I see the actual execution, the showing up for her.
Because love is making an effort for it when you have found it; and you focus on the everyday gifts she brings to your life: strength, humor, beauty, love, laughter.
And you choose me everyday, too.
We both have strong personalities, you and I. It wasn’t easy – there were many times where I resented your discipline and contested your very existence. But now I understand.
To choose someone means to never give up on them. No matter how hard things got, no matter how much we fought and I protested, you felt a duty to be there for me. To challenge me, to teach me to be better. Because you love me, because you are a man who doesn’t walk away when things get rough; you never give up. You never had one foot out the door, and not only do I admire this, I can’t thank you enough. Because your smallest act of effort was worth more than the grandest intention from anyone.
