Moms are amazing. They are there to cheer you on when you are at your best, and more importantly, to support you when you are at your not-so-best.

For some reason, a story of me at my not-so-best is in my mind this year as we approach Mother’s Day. At the end of my senior year in high school, I procrastinated a bit on deciding what college to go to. Ultimately, I chose the University of Florida. The official orientation for new freshman at UF is called Preview. You spend a few nights on campus with one of your parents and get a chance to see the school you will be attending. When I found out my dates for Preview, there was a problem. It butted right up against a business trip my mom had in Atlanta. But, no big deal, it would make for a hectic week for my mom, but she would be back in time and could still go with me.

The day we were supposed to drive to Gainesville for Preview was also the morning my mom was flying home from Atlanta. I was going to pick her up and then we’d head out on our way. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But right about when I should have been at the airport, I woke to the sound of the phone ringing downstairs. By the time my eyes opened, a message was being left. It was Mom. A not-super-happy Mom. “Hey Joey, I’m sitting in the airport and you aren’t here. Maybe you could come and get me.” Whoops.

But that’s what makes Mom amazing. Sure, she wasn’t “happy” with me (do air quotes around happy while you read it for emphasis). But I hurriedly gathered the things I needed and went to retrieve her at the airport. I feel like the drive to Gainesville was a little quieter than normal, but I think that after her initial frustration wore off, she wasn’t too mad at me. We made it to Preview, and had a good time getting me ready to head off to college.

There is a lot of time between the picture above and my mom taking me to see the college I would attend. But through all those years, she has always been a place of comfort, strength, and encouragement. She deserves to be celebrated. And I know your mom does, too. As our state begins to reopen and we try to move back into regular life rhythms, one of the things I can’t wait to do is give my mom a big hug. It has been too long. Make sure you let your mom know this weekend how much she means to you and how the little things she has always done are remembered, cherished, and probably not acknowledged enough. Thank you, Mom, for always being there for me, even when I wasn’t at my best.