Hi YLFers,
Although she is much too humble to tell you herself, I want to alert the YLF community that today is my mother Debora’s birthday.
I’m fortunate enough to be able to celebrate with her in person; before I head out to meet up with her and my father, however, I hope you’ll allow me to send her some birthday wishes via this forum. (She has no idea that I am posting this, btw.)

Many of you have no doubt gained a sense of what an incredible woman my mother is via her thoughtful posts, constructive reader feedback, and stylish ‘What I Wore’ snapshots. On the occasion of her birthday, however, I’d like to take a moment to express how beautiful my mother is in all facets of her life.

She is the most selfless woman that I will ever have the privilege of knowing. With each year that I passes, my appreciation for all that she does for our family compounds and deepens. In the midst of a particularly tumultuous year for me, I’ve been able to count on my mother as a steadfast safety net who will answer my phone calls at any hour of the day or night, and subsequently lend an infinitely patient ear. She has sworn repeatedly that she will support me “to the ends of the earth;” perhaps even more significant than this sentiment, however, is the knowledge that the commitment is 100% genuine. Such a promise is a powerful thing, and one that I intend to fulfill when I have children of my own one day.

I believe that my mother is one of the most stylish 50-somethings on the planet. She is constantly inspired by Angie and the YLF community; however, it bears mentioning how much I am inspired by HER. I can only hope to hit my 50s with as much class and wisdom. My mother has divulged to me that she feels her best and most confident at this current stage of her life, in the sense that her “prime” is still to be achieved. (Rather than bypassed in a previous decade.) Isn’t this conviction the definition of refinement? To experience each passing year as simply one more step taken toward self-actualization? We should all strive to live as gracefully.

I’ve known for quite some time that I’ve really hit the jackpot scoring Debora as my mom. Truth be told, however, she has such a generous and compassionate spirit that she has served as a surrogate mother to nearly all of my closest friends at some point.

Regardless, I often take her unconditional love for granted. Many thanks for letting me hijack a post today in an attempt to vocalize the appreciation I carry for her every day. She has been a forum friend to many of you; perhaps if you have a free moment, you can send her a few birthday wishes as well.

I’ll kick things off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!

All my love,
Kindrex

p.s. My dad is pretty awesome, too, but perhaps I’ll save that testimony for closer to his August birthday.