For so many years now, I’ve had people say to me “You are your Mother’s Daughter.” You look like her, you smile like her, you laugh like her, and about 95% of the time I answered the phone at my parents house growing up, the person on the other end of the line would say; “Hi Pam.” I’d smile and nod or just politely correct them by saying it’s not Pam, it’s Jenny, and they’d laugh and we’d make small talk.

Honestly, I didn’t really see the similarities. Looks wise, we are polar opposites. She is short with dark hair, dark eyes, and more of an olive complexion. I am taller with blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. Yes I have the signature Palmer chin, and nose, but I still didn’t see it. And I don’t know many teenage girls who would want to constantly be compared to their Mom’s, so I just took it with a grain of salt and moved on.

As I got older and moved out and on my own, I obviously didn’t have family friends comparing me to my Mom on the phone, but I did have my brothers and my Dad reminding me of the similarities between us. I would make a comment, in regards to a situation, or act a certain way, and because they knew how to get a rise out of me, they would say “OK Pam.” I would scowl and disagree for a while but the older I got….the more I just decided to embrace it. I mean, she and my Dad did an amazing job raising me and my three brothers. They taught us right from wrong, and did their best to guide us in the right direction (and they did a pretty good job if I say so myself) they made sure we all had the opportunity to go to college, and if we wanted to go overseas they sent us, even though neither of them had ever been out of the country. If you want to talk about being selfless…my parents are the definition.

My Mom was there to take me to all of my dance classes and wipe my tears when I would come out crying and swearing that I was never going back. She didn’t let me quit. She always said just finish up the year and dance in your recital and you don’t have to go back next year. I would agree, and every single year after my recital, I would tell her how excited I was to go back next year. I danced for 15 years thanks to her encouragement, and wouldn’t change that for a thing. She was there to take us to swim team practice and pick us up, and cheer us on at all of our meets. She tirelessly drove us to and from any and everything, and always made sure she spoke to the parents of the kids who’s houses we would be staying over. She comforted me when I was having boy troubles or friend troubles, or work troubles, or just needed a shoulder to cry on. She put up with a combined 24 or so years of adolescence between my brothers and I. I can imagine that’s enough to drive any sane person crazy! But she did it with grace and poise, and she stood her ground and let us know when we were being idiots, and I think we are all better people because of that.

She has been the best friend, role model, cheerleader, confidant, and parent I could ever ask for. She put her dreams on hold so that we could fulfill ours, all while endlessly encouraging, loving, and supporting each one of us, so for me to be compared to such an amazing woman, I am honored.

Thank you Mom for molding me into the person that I am today. I wouldn’t be half the woman or Mother I am if it weren’t for you, and for that I am grateful.

I have never been more proud to be compared to you, and there’s no denying the fact that I am in deed my Mother’s Daughter 🙂

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the Amazing Mom’s out there!

*and a very special Thank You to my Mother in Law who raised such an incredible man that I am lucky enough to call my Husband*