I Wrote Mi Mamá a Mother's Day Letter Before the Pandemic, and the Feeling Remains

At the beginning of 2020 as I was planning my year, I realized that due to my school and work schedules, I was not going to be able to leave New York City and surprise my mom in Miami for Mother's Day. I don't know why I was thinking so far ahead, but I wrote a letter to her with everything I wanted to say and more, planning to mail it for the special occasion.

But things changed overnight, and I was fortunate to be able to go back to Miami and be with my mom during this time of social distancing. Nevertheless, the feeling behind this letter remains, because mi mamá es mi todo, and I'm sharing it here as a token of my appreciation for all she does.

Dear Mom,

I sadly can't top last year's Mother's Day surprise this year. I'll never forget your face when you saw me at our family party thinking I was in my apartment in New York the entire time. The tears of joy in your eyes. The shocked expression that soon led your lips to a smile that never left your face. The hug that never ended. You whispering, "I love you," in my ear soon bringing tears to my eyes. It was our first Mother's Day together since I'd moved away two years before.

I know we will see each other soon for my graduation later in the month. But for Mother's Day, although we'll be apart, do know I will celebrate you and all you've done for me. I will order a hot fudge sundae from McDonald's and dip my fries in it, just as you do. I will bake all day. Every recipe you ever taught me. It may sound impossible, but you taught me that everything I wanted could be possible if I just worked a little harder.

I will window shop down Fifth Avenue and take pictures of all the things I want and send them to Dad, just as you do! I will watch Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing, and The Proposal because you love them. I'll even watch Bambi, Dumbo, and Lady and the Tramp and try to not fall asleep.

I will clean my apartment and blast "El Triste" by José José (but the Cristian Castro version) and "Action" by Terror Fabulous and Nadine Sutherland.

I promise I will do everything and anything I can to give you the life you deserve. I will get the degree you sacrificed for me. I will always thank you for not only the life you've given me also but the support you've given me in pursuing my dreams, as impossible as they may be for a girl like me.

I will always shower you with the same amount of love you gave me from the moment you brought me into this world. I will always say "I love you" at the end of every conversation, even if it was a disagreement. I will always be there for you, even if I'm 1,099 miles away.

Being your daughter has been the greatest gift. Gracias mamá. I love you beyond the stars, moon, and sun.

Happy Mother's Day.

Your favorite child — don't tell Sammy or Neco,

Kimberly Gabriela