Happy Father's Day to my stepdad and my mom!

Father's Day is not just for all of the fathers out there. Let's be real, it doesn't take much to become a biological father. And when I say "father" I'm referring to the fact that you have fathered (let's just say it, made) a child. It doesn't mean you've taken care of your child. You were half of the equation in forming a child. For some men that could be less than a minute. BUT it takes a REAL man to become a DADDY. Those are the men that are appreciated today and every day. 


Today we celebrate the men out there who deserve to be thanked, those who have made a difference because you have supported and encouraged your children. You have nurtured and loved, given advice, spent time and energy, been a role model, and raised your children to be the best that they can be. And the caveat that I should have started with is that I may have gotten the terms confused as to whether I should be using father or dad to refer to those who have children. It's not the word that matters; it's what the man did, or didn't do, for his children and for their mother in most cases.


What I don't want to do is whine about deadbeat dads (i.e. mine). I want to celebrate and thank the men out there, like my stepdad, who have taken on the responsibility to help raise and mold responsible, honest, hardworking, successful, good children/teenagers/adults. I believe that to raise someone else's child is especially admirable. That's what my stepdad did. My parents had a nasty divorce (thanks to the man) and it was all very distressing and difficult for us all - my sisters and I'm sure for my mother even more. Now you already know how fabulous she is, and of course she never failed us nor showed any weakness throughout the years. So today's Father's Day is for her, too, because she was a mother AND a father to my sisters and me for a number of years.


Therefore, this Father's Day I'd like to honor both my stepdad (for taking care of us and being our father figure from our teenage years on - and we know how tough that is) and my mother for all she has done, and continues to do, for us. And by us I don't just mean my sisters and me. My stepdad (even after all of these years it's difficult to say the word "dad") has become a father to my fatherless husband as well. And my mother has become a "mama" to him. I'm not just grateful for this; I'm truly touched. We're blessed. 


Today, and everyday, I want to commemorate the lives of two important people in our lives - my parents. My real parents. The mother and father that everyone wishes they had, or are grateful that they have. Thank you to my parents for encouraging me, supporting me (financially and emotionally), helping to make me the person that I am today. Thank you for raising me right, for never pressuring me to be someone I'm not, or to do something I didn't want to. Thank you for guiding me and loving me and missing me when I'm gone. And for letting me choose my path in life. 


Thank you father and mother for accepting my husband as if he were your son. Thank you for calling him son and making him feel like he has a real family, not just in the United States, but in the world. We love you unconditionally and cannot wait to see you in a few days!

Happy Father's Day!

Mothers and Daughters

There is nothing like the bond between mother and daughter. It is unbreakable. It is strong. It is fierce. Impermeable. Unique. One-of-a-kind. We come from our mother's womb and as a result we have the invisible connection that continues to bond us to her throughout our lives.


With this being said, I have had the honor to witness such a bond between two of my best friends (REAL best friends) and their mothers. I mean where the daughters have respect, love, admiration, and true friendship with their mothers. And these women are not mothers because they gave birth to my sister-friends, but because they were extraordinary women during their time on this planet, and they touched everyone in their lives. They were role models, they were strong, they fought the illness that reached out to hurt them and which eventually took them away from us. And yet they remained beautiful inside and out throughout their battle.


But the sickness only took them away from us physically. It canNOT take away their spirit, their strength, their LOVE. These women will remain with us forever; they will live within us, reminding us to be good people, as they were. To work hard, to treat people with respect, to love our husbands, and to be fabulous mothers like they were.


Today I honor the memory of, the life of, and the legacy of Virginia Surowka and Barbara Bogart. Two of the most fascinating women in this world. Two of the most wonderful women that have ever entered into my life, and who I will never ever forget.  And I had the blessing of seeing them as second mothers, as aunts, as an additional member in my family. God bless these women for all that they did while on this Earth. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families everyday, and especially today as Mrs. Bogart has left the Earth this morning to ascend to heaven, pain free. I love you ladies, and I love your daughters Stephanie and Kim who would not be the women they are today had they not been born by you and raised by you. Thank you for your gift.

Stephanie & Virgina Surowka

Kimberly & Barbara Bogart

Barbara (Babs) and Virginia (Gemini), may you rest in peace, and be remembered for all of your beauty and all that you accomplished on this Earth. These women are truly, angels in heaven.


With love,

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the most beautiful and fabulous woman on the planet!

There are a million reasons why my mother is such a fascinating woman and such a perfect mom to my sisters and me. It'd be impossible to find the words and/or even possibly list everything that my mother has done for us and all that she means to me. Nevertheless, I'd still like to honor her by thanking her for all that she's done. 

Therefore, a few reasons why I'm grateful that my mother is who she is....

• My mother is selfless
• She was not only our mother, but was also a "father" to us for many years
• She stressed the importance of an education and good grades
• She has supported me in everything that I do - from travelling abroad alone (for a year) when I was only 17 to choosing my major in college to loving the man that I married as if he were a son
• My mom is a hard worker and has been a great example of what one can accomplish when working diligently
• She is a good listener
• She is fair, honest, and has a kind heart
• My mother has endured suffering without ever complaining and has never shown a sign of weakness, regardless of the situation
• She has taught me so much that I don't even know where to begin with describing all that I've learned from her
• Her love is unconditional
• Her faith is strong and has always been
• She is intelligent and beautiful
• My mother is classy and well spoken
• I am proud to be my mother's daughter
• I can only hope that I will be a tenth of the woman that my mother is
• My mother is a perfect role model
• She makes me whelm with pride to say "that's my mom"
• She has never made excuses for anything
• My mom is proud of the husband that I chose
• She is never, nor has she ever been, pushy
• She knows exactly what to say to me, and how to say it
• My mother is fabulous, gorgeous, and one in a million

I could go on and on and on....but then this post would be pages long and would take hours to read.

Thank you for everything you have ever done, continue to do, and will do for me, and my husband, in the future. My love for you is as limitless as yours has been for me.

With respect, admiration, and unconditional love, your daughter,