Dear Mom,

As I am now an adult, I finally realize what you were scheming with how you raised me.

You were strict so that I'd learn discipline, diligence, the importance of character quality, and the reward of hard work.

You let me be a nerd who stayed up late at night on a computer because those proficiencies eventually led me to a career.

You respected my privacy so that I would know how to live life in public.

You let Dad turn me into a musician, at the cost of your sanity with all the noise we made, because you saw it was my easiest route to happiness.

Among the other duties of a mother, those in particular seem really difficult. You definitely deserve a vacation, so I hope you get to savor your time in Europe and Scandinavia.

Mahal kita, mama. Happy birthday.

Love,
Your smartass (but well-meaning) son,
Nico