A Traveler's Letter to Her Future Son

Dear,

Even before your mom had the vaguest idea that someday, somehow, you would come into existence, she already made the decision to live life as a vagabond. Way before she met your father, traveling has been her source of comfort, simple joys, and of knowledge she has never learned and will never learn in books.

Had she not met your father, she will pursue with what she has always loved to do. Her sole motivation in life would be the thought of crossing out another adventurous item on her bucket list. She was blessed to have your father as someone who loved to accompany her. Unfortunately, she was not blessed to have free trips from your dad, but it's okay. She knows how to work to fund her wanderlust. Whether or not she met your father, she will and must travel. The only difference was that she instantly had a travel buddy. That's it. Dear child, never ever think that your mom was only able to do these things because of your father's money, because she did not.

As much as a protective parent would feel that traveling would be risky, I will give you my full support should you choose to follow the same path. Should you wish to climb mountains, jump off cliffs, dive even if you can't swim - I will be with you all the way. As I am very fortunate to have a parent who was so supportive of my dreams and my happiness, I will make sure to give the same kind of support to you. (I only wish you'd allow me to go with you on some of your high-risk escapades though and let me try it, too. :D)

Your mom is a girl with many gifts, blessed with an above-average mind that made it possible for her to somewhat go through life easily. It is your mom's simple wish for you to recognize her as such - as a totally separate entity from your father and not someone who just lives in his shadow.

Should you one day find the girl that you want to spend forever with, I would be nothing but happy. As I have lived the life that I wanted to live, I will be happy if you someday find that girl who would complement you, who would love you for who you are, and who would be willing to go places with you at her own expense, just like what I did with your father.

To see you happy and in love with the girl you would spend forever with would be my greatest wish for you. Supportive as I am to whatever endeavor you may pursue in life, if you find someone who would love you  for who you are, make sure to love her the same way. Treat her right. I will have nothing but love for that girl who sees the best in you, and who sees you as someone who she wants to share her forever with.

Seeing her son live a life well-lived, and knowing that there's someone who loves her son for who he is - that's the greatest wish this mom will ever have. I will forever be happy and at peace knowing someone loves my son for the way I raised him.

So to you my dear - learn, get hurt, travel, and love. Never be afraid to take risks. I will be happily waiting for that girl who will love you.

Sincerely,

Your adventurous mom