Re: From My Heart to Hers
To: My Mom
By Syd
If you’ve ever met my mom, you probably remember two things: her laugh and her faith. She’s the kind of person who fills a room; not with noise, but with light. She’s almost never serious (unless she really needs to be), and she somehow always manages to find the bright side. I’ve seen her turn chaos into comedy and hardship into hope more times than I can count.
My mom is one of the most selfless people I know. She’s spent her whole life pouring into others, whether it was as a military wife, holding down the homefront while my dad served, or as a mother to not just me, but to my younger siblings through foster care and adoption. She gave everything she had to make our home feel safe, loving, and full of joy. And she did it all with a joke in her back pocket and sometimes caffeine in hand.
She’s got grit. That old-school, roll-up-your-sleeves, “we’ll figure it out” kind of strength that doesn’t need attention or applause. She works hard, always has. Whether it was sewing Halloween costumes at midnight, coordinating a chaotic schedule of sports and appointments, or diving into whatever project caught her eye that week (and there were many) — she never did anything halfway. Sure, she can be a little flighty (love you, Mom 😂), but once she sets her mind on something? Only God can change it, and even then, He’s got to really try.
One of my favorite things about my mom is how much she values connection. When I was in middle school, we had Pioneer Night once a week: no electricity, no electronics, just candles, board games, and conversation. It was her way of pulling us closer. And every night at dinner, we sat around the table as a family and shared our highs and lows from the day. She knew how to make space for laughter, tears, and everything in between. I don’t remember every meal, but I remember how it felt to belong at that table. That’s the kind of mother she is.
And now, I have the honor of doing something I never could’ve imagined when I was a kid around that dinner table — I get to own and build a business with her. It’s rare to work with someone who inspires you. Rarer still when that person is your mom. She brings the same heart, humor, and hard work into our business that she brought into our home. And watching her lead, create, and care about every detail? It’s an absolute gift.
Mom, since you're reading this: thank you. For the love, the grit, the laughter, the lessons, the years of sacrifice I didn't always see then — but feel now. You are more than just my mom, you’re one of my best friends. And if I can reflect even a little bit of the woman you are, then I know I’m on the right path.
