You gave me the greatest gift today of being your mom. I have cared, loved and nurtured you for over 11 years now, but today I got a glimps of who you truly are and the amazing young woman you are becoming.
Today we were at a swim meet, like many other weekends before and I am sure many more weekends to come. Dad couldn't be there because of work so it was just the three of us and as swim meets often are, it was hectic. You patiently waited all morning while your brother swam and I helped out around the meet. You checked in, got ready and found your coach for warm up all on your own. You took control of the situation and did what you had to do and that is when it hit me...you are no longer my baby girl.
Swimming is such a big part of your life I should of known that any big changes in who you are would manifest itself somewhere in the pool. The last few months you have attacked practices with a single minded determination and a take no prisoners attitude and I should of seen the signs there. But as you already know, your mother is sometimes slow and it didn't hit me until today, watching your swims, amazed at the time drops and proud of every goal you achieved today that you have grown up on me.
Gone is my little girl that got in the pool to swim and talk with her friends, replaced with my young lady who has set her own goals, knows what she wants and most importantly...knows what it takes to get there. You still love your friends and still want to hang out, but it comes second to your practice. The results of this new found determination was evident in your times today. You ROCKED! I loved watching every race you were in but for very different reasons than just a couple of weeks ago.
I am always proud of you. In the pool, out of the pool, at school and even at home when you are driving me crazy! But today was different. Don't get me wrong...your swims were amazing, your times were blazing fast and watching you get spring JO times was pretty fricking awesome! But today what overwhelmed all that was my pride in who you are. Every race you got on the block for you knew what you wanted to achieve. We never discussed your times, your goals or your strategy...that was all between you and your coach. You were in complete control and you handled the pressure with maturity and grace and I have never been prouder of you. Every success you had today was because of your hard work, your initiative and your determination.
You are amazing. You are everything I could have ever hoped for in a daughter and so much more. I am overwhelmed by the pride I have in you and I am so blessed to be your mom. Thank you for letting me be a part of your amazing journey, for helping you along the way, for accepting the love I have for you and giving me back so much more than I deserve.
I love you Pooh Bear!
Mom
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