Mother Stories
A Letter To My Children—4 Mothers Share Their Stories
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Samantha Tyler Cooper
Apr 19, 2021
This Mother’s Day (and beyond), the button-up aficionados over at Grayson want to see you wear your heart on your sleeve—quite literally. Founded by mama Audrey McLoghlin (who once wrote an essay for us in defense of not “doing it all”), the L.A.-based company—known for its perfectly fitted button-up tops—is launching a special mommy-and-me collection which has love written all over it. The white, 100% cotton tops are studded with little pink hearts and come in both adult sizes and sizes 3-7 for kiddos.
To celebrate the launch and the upcoming love-filled holiday, we asked four inspiring mothers and their children to try them on for size, while answering some motherhood-themed Q’s, and sharing sweet, personal notes to their littles. Take a look through our slideshow below (and maybe grab a tissue while you’re at it!).
This post is brought to you by Mother x Grayson
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Holston,
My baby love, my Ho Ho Daddy, my Poo Poo Boy,
I love you so much. You're a little crazy, but that's my favorite part.
I love your little laugh and how you poke out your lips to give kisses.
Everyday I wake up hoping that I'm doing this mom thing right. I know you can't tell now but, in the long run, I'm praying that all the little tweaks and small decisions your Dad and I are making will benefit you in some way. I hope you never feel bound by time, or money, or the expectations of others. I hope that you are always free to move about in the world as a beautiful Black boy with dreams, ambitions, and goals that are yours for the taking.
You are everything to me. I will always be here, no matter what. You are my absolute favorite, forever and ever.
Love,
Mama
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"Motherhood means having PATIENCE right now. My son is growing up in the middle of a pandemic and two is already a really tough age. We're working hard together to be sure we both stay sane while appreciating this extended time we have together in our home."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"The future is most exciting. Everyday I blink and this kid has grown! I love looking forward to future milestones and moments that I know will become beautiful memories. I used to dream about what he'd be like on his first birthday, what his first haircut would be like, how he'd like Easter egg hunts. And now that we've experienced them, I love reminding myself what fun, fulfilling moments they were—before, during, and after they actually happened."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"There's two things: 1. Him getting hurt. 2. Him not experiencing freedom because I'm too afraid of him getting hurt. A mom's dilemma!"
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"I think this is cliche, but it goes so fast. He's only two and I look at pictures from when he was only a few months and I'm like 'WHEN DID ALL OF THIS HAPPEN?!' It's wild. Soaking in every moment isn't just something cute to say, it's real. Blink and you'll miss it."
You can follow along with Megan and her family at @meganhalexander on Instagram, @meghalexander on Twitter, and online at meganholstonalexander.com and a16z.com.
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Dear Oliver and Chloe,
Thank you for shining your bright lights and choosing us to be your parents. There was a time not long ago when we didn't think we could be parents. But you two showed us that the impossible is possible. And what a true joy it has been to spend every day with you.
Your hearty giggles, sprouting questions, messes, and strange obsessions have filled our hearts to the brim. Oliver, we love your passion, fierce energy, and charisma. May you always have your high-pitched giggle, even when your voice goes baritone. Chloe, we love your generous heart, fearlessness, and sweet nature. May you always open your heart to the unknown and receive it so readily.
We wish for you both to remember that life is beautiful and change is possible. You have the power within yourself to do great things. Remember always to ask for help when you need it. We all need help, even grownups.
And, above all else, if you ever find yourself in a place where you feel like you can't talk to us, just hand us this letter and we won't say a word. We'll just give you a hug.
We love you unconditionally, no matter what.
Love,
Mama and Baba
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"An overuse of my executive functioning skills and lots of unfiltered love and hugs and kisses. I hope the latter never stops."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"The opportunity to give the universe two empathic, loving, respectful, and active world citizens who will make us all proud. It's a privilege to have two chances at this. I'm so proud of who they are today. At 4, Oliver has become my little activist, attending the recent BLM and Stop Asian Hate marches and together, we're building his anti-racist foundation. At 1.5, Chloe is my fearless spirit, who's willing to try anything. I can't wait to see how much she comes into her own this year!"
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"Protecting them physically and emotionally. Kids are pure magic, their happiness boundless. So, in light of the increased AAPI hate crimes, I worry not just about their physical wellbeing and safety, but also about their resilience and how they will encounter the harsh realities of growing up Asian American. I try my very hardest not to project my own Chinese American upbringing onto them, but as a mother, it's a challenge that I comb over in my head daily. We all have a lot of work to do, together."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"Time on earth is extremely precious; our health is paramount. The pandemic, among many things, has crystallized how delicate and unknown life can be. So, while like so many parents I've been pushed to the edge this year, I try my best every day to savor each moment with Oliver and Chloe. Some days I succeed, other days I don't. But that's normal, right? We just have to get right back up and try again."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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- You can follow along with Leslie and her family at @lesliewangsu on Instagram.
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Josiah & Jourdan,
Mommy is so proud of the way you two have blossomed into such amazing boys and big brothers this year. You guys are my very best friends and you give my world a whole new meaning. I am excited for the future, and I will always be right here for you. I’m grateful for our early mornings and late evenings with cuddles and story time. Please don’t be in a rush to grow up. Let’s enjoy each moment we have together and take in this bliss. I love you guys to the moon and back.
Love,
Mommy
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"It means everything. I am an overall better me after becoming a mother."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"My kids are growing right now and at an age where they are learning so much and grasping onto everything they learn. They are witty and quick on their toes. Never a dull moment in our home."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"I am nervous for them to witness too much of the outside world. I want to protect my littles forever and I wish I could block out all negativity and for the world to be as amazing as they feel it is!"
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"Patience! With the pandemic and distance learning, we have had to adapt to changes. I’ve learned to listen to my littles and understand that they are still learning how to express themselves and their feelings. So, to stop and be patient and understand they have feelings and get overwhelmed just like me."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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- You can follow along with Sabrina and her family at @allaboutthefranklins on Instagram.
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Dear Luna & Max,
You know how we like to do top favorite things? Well, I was just thinking about my favorite things from the past week, and know what my top favorite was? The drives the three of us took together each day. Not so much the morning ones, when we’re all still waking up and kind of quiet (although I love those too). More the drives in the afternoon, when we’re on our way home from school and we talk about our days, share stories, and you both ask lots, and lots of questions. I feel so grateful to have that time just to talk with the two of you, and your questions help me think about the world in new and wonderful ways. I thought I’d write down some of my favorite questions you asked from the past week, and my answers, just in case they come up again, since they usually do.
Luna: Do you believe in good luck?
Me: I don’t. I try to not to call anything that happens to me good or bad, and instead think of it as just life, happening as it’s meant to.
Max: What is the sun made out of?
Me: Well, it’s a really big star, so I guess gas.
Max: But then why does it look like a ball of fire? Me: I have no idea. Luna?
Luna: Can I be more than one thing when I grow up, like a doctor and a rock star?
Me: Of course! Those two particular things might be a little tricky to do at the same time, but anything is possible. Also, you’ll always be more than one thing, just like you are now. And you’ll always be you.
Max: Where was I before I was in your tummy? Me: You were bits of stardust in the universe, and one day you chose me to be your mommy.
Thank you both for choosing me to be your mommy!
Love,
Mom
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"Being reminded daily that the very best, most rewarding things in life are also sometimes the hardest."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"The amount of wisdom my children have to teach me about joy, curiosity, resilience, and how to sink deep into the moment rather than skim life’s surface. My son and I were playing a few weeks ago and I interrupted our game to mention some things we needed to get done over the weekend. He grabbed my face with both his little hands, stared into my eyes, and said, 'Mommy, break out of your mind and just play!' At their ages, it’s also just a blast getting to witness them becoming more and more themselves."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"That all this additional anxiety I’ve been carrying around with me for the past year is, on some level, being passed on to them."
The Hero with Pink Hearts, $138, Grayson.
The Hero Mini with Pink Hearts, $68, Grayson.
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"The extra time together at home really taught me just how intently my kids are paying attention to not only how I treat others, but also how I treat myself. Them seeing me show myself kindness and compassion is every bit as important as showing respect and generosity towards another person. The idea that I’m always modeling how to be in the world for these precious, little people can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when I’m struggling to keep it together. But on the flip side, it gives me the extra encouragement I sometimes need to be brave or show myself the grace I hope they learn to show themselves."
You can follow along with Ali and her work at AHMStudios.com.
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