In celebration of Mother’s Day yesterday, we’re going to talk about moms today. What are some of your fondest memories with your mother? My mom and I used to share a lot of Friday night laughs because we were both so tired we’d laugh at anything. We enjoyed sitting and chatting over a cheap combo meal while we were out shopping. We still love reminiscing over silly mistakes we’ve made, or how we made fools of ourselves in various situations. There are lots of mini-memories I have with my mom, but perhaps the most powerful memory I have of her is when she took a day off of work to be with me after my first broken heart.
Anyone who knows my mom knows that she has to be really sick before she’ll take a day off from work. She is a dedicated second-grade teacher who is excitedly awaiting her June retirement. However, when I was twelve and received my first broken heart, she decided to take a day off at the last minute. Maybe you’re thinking, “You were twelve. How bad could it have been?” Trust me… it was bad.
I still remember sobbing and not understanding why my relationship with this boy had to end. Some parents might have told me to suck it up, but not my mom. She let me cry, she rubbed my back, and she spent the next day with me. We drove 45 minutes to the beach and then made a full circle back to my hometown. She just let me talk. If it was important to me, it was important to her. She knew that I would get through this milestone in my life before too long, but she didn’t treat my pain as if it was insignificant. For all the mistakes she made, as all mothers do, she hit that day out of the park, and I’ll never forget it.
Mothers do a lot to teach us about marriage. Some teach us how to be married well and others teach us what not to do. If your mom taught you all the right ways to treat your future spouse, be thankful for her – and, if she taught you all the wrong ways to treat your future spouse, learn from her mistakes, and still be thankful for her.
By taking me out that day and listening to me spill my twelve-year-old guts, Mom built a bridge to my heart. She showed me how powerful a little time can be to a relationship. She also showed me that relationships were valuable. Sure, this was an everyday young girl’s heartache, but by not sweeping it under the rug, she showed me that relationships had worth.
For as long as I can remember, Mom warned me about the type of guy to avoid. She told me not to feel pressured to marry the first guy who asked me. She told me that she was praying for her future son-in-law. She prayed for a man that would be a hard worker, and boy did she receive an answer. Eric is literally the hardest working man I know.
As the Mother’s Day season comes and goes, I am reminded of how much my mother taught me about life and love. As you head into your upcoming marriage and have your little boys and girls, remember that you will influence their outlook on marriage and relationships. Be joyful as you take on that responsibility. Build a bridge to their hearts – they won’t forget it.
How did your mother influence your view of relationships?
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