Heart Pops

 

Let’s tell each other one thing that we love about the other person before we go to sleep.

 

Okay, Mama.

 

I’ll go first. I love the way your whole face lights up when you smile.

 

Oh, Mama. That’s sweet…And I love when you give me strawberries.

 

***

 

 

 

Where did I come from?

 

A wish on a star.

 

I’m happy you wished me.

 

Me too, baby. Thank you for being my wish.

 

Thank you for being my mom.

 

***

 

 

Mama?

 

Yes,  baby?

 

I love you so much it makes my heart pop.

 

You make my heart pop, too.

 

***

 


 

 

Mama, can I…?

 

No.

 

Why?

 

Because.

 

No, Mama. You have to give me a reason. “Because” isn’t a reason.

 

It isn’t a reason when you say “because.” But I’m a mom. So that makes it a reason.

 

Well that isn’t exactly fair.

 

 

***

 

 

Happy birthday, Mama. I’m going to hug you now. Because sometimes I just want to hug you because I love you so much. Okay?

 

***

 

And my heart pops just a little bit more.

photo

PMCPauline Campos is Latina Magazine’s advice & relationship columnist, editor of the ebook anthology, Strong Like Butterfly, and a radio personality with a regular advice segment on NPR’s Latino USA show.  Pauline blogs three times a week at Aspiring Mama (or when she remember to take her Adderall) & is the founder of Girl Body Pride. Strong like Butterfly is currently available on Smashwords. This post originally appeared on Aspiring Mama in 2011.