One day a year is wildly insufficient to honor the women who gave us life, helped us create our own life and make us who we are. (Yes, dads are part of that, too, but we’ll get to them next month).
LIke snowflakes, no two moms are the same — but, thankfully, they’re a heck of a lot stronger than snowflakes. My own mom, Mary Ann Bolen, is unlike any other, and she’s been my rock, my cheerleader, my very first editor and my soft place to land when I’ve tripped and fallen. Neither she nor my dad have ever let me doubt for a single second that I’m loved beyond belief. I just hope neither of them ever doubt the love and gratitude I have for them. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom — I love you so much more than you’d ever believe.
Here are a few tributes to Key West moms from their kids and husbands.
VICTORIA FORMICO — “She is fun-loving and always understanding. Our kids are so lucky to have her as their mom, she is simply the BEST!”
MELANIE RODRIGUEZ –
“Melanie, you hold our family together with grace, love and unwavering strength, I am thankful for having you as the mother of our two beautiful girls and as my wife for 16 years. Happy Mother’s Day, my love!”
JACQUI NORMAN –
Kara – “My mom is the most generous person I have ever met. She is generous with her time, with her love and with her never-ending support.”
Emma – “My mum is so kind and generous. She’s always trying as hard as she can to do things for everyone else, disregarding her own needs. She is an amazing person, and I’m so glad she’s my mother. I don’t know what I’d do without her :).”
Taryn – “Happy Mother’s Day!”
All of Us – “We Love You!!!”
CATHY CRANE –
“She puts her daughter (Kristin) above everything else in the world. She is the best role model that one can ask for. She and Kristin are truly the best of friends.”
PAULINA SMITH
“I’m not sure the best way to say it, but she always makes sure the kids are having fun and doing things, whether it’s going to the soccer field to be goalie for Ryder or taking Scarlet to the park. Our kids never watch TV because they are never bored. She is completely selfless and always puts them first. She makes sure they always have a homemade lunch for school.
Oh, and she is also known as ‘Bruh.’ (LOL, it seems all the kids call their parents this now.)”
SHELLEY CASTILLO
“For our first date, my dad gave me the money to buy her dinner at Logan Lobster House, but she told me to take her to Burger King instead,” recalls husband Aaron Castillo. “My dad told me I better marry that girl. We got married on Valentine’s Day 37 years ago, and she is still the love of my life and the world’s best mother and grandmother. She taught our three kids to be strong and independent.”
STEPHANIE BRUNO
“My favorite thing about being Hudson’s mom aka “Bruh” is making him laugh uncontrollably, but also torturing him with embarrassment as only a mom can do. There is no in-between.”
MINDY CONN
“Mindy is not only the best mom in the world or in our family, but she also takes care of the schools and the community as if she’s everyone’s mom. She makes the world a better place one day at a time. Happy Mother’s Day to the best mom and wife in the world!”
Pictured with kids Josh and Emily and husband Abe.
JESSICA HORAN
Mom to daughters Audrey, Monroe and Amore (not pictured.)
“You always figure out ways to make the impossible possible. Thank you for loving us as you do and for pushing us to be the best versions of ourselves. Happy Mother’s Day to our superhero!”
