An Open Letter To My Future Daughter In Law. | Gifted

Dear Lauren,

Mother’s Day is approaching and it got me thinking.

Although we text, send photographs of our lives and spend days together I feel as though I really need to write you a letter.   Things seem to come across better via the written word than I could ever say out loud, so here goes.

I can remember that day, standing in the kitchen of our old house when you and Ben handed me a card.  It was Christmas time so I just presumed it was a greetings card.  My heart did a flip when I read how I was going to be a grandma.  Me!  At 41 that wasn’t something I felt as though I was prepared for but something that I felt completely overwhelmed and happy with at the same time.  My eldest son was in love and starting his own family.

Watching you raise my first grandson was such a beautiful thing to be part of and I need you to know how proud I am of both you and Ben.  How although we have different parenting methods, I was a spoon feeder and you are baby led, we always co slept and both M & E have been in their own cots.  None of that matters as we both respect each others ways and I love that you still feel you can come to me and ask me questions on raising your own children.  I would never push my thoughts on you and realise that you know what is best for your children, just as I did for mine.  There is no manual for motherhood so we are all just making our own way through the best we can and all I want is to be there for you at every turn should you need me.

Almost a year ago E was born, my first granddaughter.  I waited so long to have girls so I know how excited you both were at telling me that I would have a both a grandson and granddaughter.  It is coming up to her first birthday and I have never seen such a smiley little girl and with that I know that you are a great mum.

I wanted to get you something to show just how great i think you are and how all mums should be celebrated on Mother’s Day and not just by their children, but by other Mother’s too.

Working with Snappy Snaps meant that I could gift you something to keep, something that is a fabulous keepsake and full of a beautiful memory.  The framed picture is crystal clear and that memory of the first time holding my granddaughter is something that will stick with me forever.

You are so strong.  You spend so much time working on making yourself a better person, attending university to become a nurse and working nights and weekends to fund the wedding.  All of that alongside raising my grandchildren.

I am so proud of the woman you have become in the years I have known you and I hope you know that I love you like a daughter of my own.

I also hope you know I am here.  I am here if you need to vent.  I am here.

All my love

Mum