To the menders of boo-boos, broken hearts and skinned knees alike. To the women who taught us to read, dance, and speak our first words. To the wonderful women in our lives that we are privileged enough to call, “Mom,” “Mommy,” “Mama,” “Mother,” and more.

In celebration of mothers everywhere, some of our staff wanted to share their admiration, love, appreciation and more for the people they are proud to call “Mom.”

To the person who is always proud of me…

I remember being disappointed with myself after my first driving lesson; the instant you noticed how my mood dropped when I got home you told me that no matter how many times I failed, you’d still find a reason to be proud of me. While we don’t have the best relationship, the moments where you’ve told me you were proud of me have meant more than anything else in the world. Thank for you for taking care of me. Thank you for giving up a lot in order for me to be where I am today. You deserve much more than you’ve gotten, and I truly hope the world acknowledges that soon.

• Angelica Cruz, 18, Graphic Designer.

To the person who is always there…

There are no words I could say that could ever accurately portray how much you mean to me. Twenty-four years ago, I came in to the world giving you trouble and making you worry, and I haven’t stopped since.

You were there for me when I was 10, and spiraling into the dark pit of depression, before I even knew what depression was. But if you were afraid for me, you didn’t show it. You did everything in your power to get me the help that I needed and to make sure I knew that I was loved.

You were there for me when I was 13, 5’7″ and barely 90 lbs. You saw to it that I ate, and didn’t believe me when I told you I wasn’t hungry. Once again, you did everything in your power to make sure I got better.

You were there and got me through my first heartbreak, and every subsequent heartbreak that has followed. You always put me first, even when it meant you may not have gotten what you needed.

When I was 9, you took me to see the very first Harry Potter movie. You guided me through the horror that was middle school, and supported me as I found my voice and myself on the stage of my high school’s theatre.

You helped me get ready for prom and took pictures of me and my date in the front yard of our house. You saw me graduate from high school, and in a few short weeks you’ll see me graduate from Mt. SAC. None of that would have ever been possible without you.

Thank you, Mom, for all that you do and everything you’ve taught me to be and not to be. I love you so much.

Happy Mother’s Day.

• Jen Sandy, 24, Senior Staff Writer.

To the person that takes care of me…

Thank you. Thank you for all the times that I’ve been sick, for my accomplishments, and for being there to help me through my failures. Thank you for those trips to the hospital that lasted for hours, for attending my events despite being late at night. For making every small moment in my life a memorable one. But most of all, thank you for keeping me grounded. For reminding me that it’s okay to sometimes feel upset, to feel nervous, because those feelings are temporary setbacks that lead to something great. You’re more than my mom. You’re my sister, friend, and so much more. I love you.

• Kenya Pineda, 18, Staff Writer.

To a hero in her own right…

I have never met a harder worker than you, Mama. You spoiled me during my brief stint as a single child; you taught me how to walk with style in my neon green baby Nikes (and sunglasses!), how to read and appreciate books like the bookworm you are, and then how to share when you brought my amazing little sister Niki into this world.

You literally make lives better for a living as a Certified Nursing Assistant all night, then trudge home in the early morning to make my life better in every way you can. You dress in neon pinks and oranges, a bright spot in every room. Your tough but caring hands changed a million diapers; your beautiful green eyes strained as you studied for your CNA certification; your back ached as you lifted patients’ bodies and spirits. You took a chance and learned new things at your new job, and you are kicking butt there. I am beyond proud of you.

I love you more than you know. (Or maybe you do know.) I am honored to call you my mom.

• Vanessa Solis, 25, Copy Editor.

To the awesomely involved mom…

Mom, thank you for always being there for me. Even when you were president of the Parent Teacher Association, president of the football and track boosters club, and coach of the track team, you have always been a caring and loving mother to me and a second mother to so many students whose lives you’ve touched. I love you and as times get tough I will be there to help you along the way as any son should.

• Cory Jaynes, 21, Staff Writer.

To my biggest fan and cheerleader…

Thank you for putting up with me. For someone so obsessed with words I’m left wordless when it comes to thanking you for all the tears shed, all the lessons, all the pre-practice sandwiches, all the bags packed, and all the shaky videos of my races with you shrieking so loud that a banshee would be jealous. Even though I give loads of attitude, Lord knows I probably wouldn’t be as far in my swimming career if you didn’t give me that initial push as a chubby 7-year old. Due to another swim meet — State this time Ma, I made it! I can’t spend this special day with you, but know that I will swim my hardest so that you know all those 5:30 a.m. practices are worth it. I love you mom.

• Shania Fontanilla, 18, Staff Writer.

To the perfect mom for me…

Yes our relationship isn’t perfect. We’ve had tons of fights and arguments but regardless of how infuriating and frustrating I may be, you’ve been there for me when I needed you the most. For that, I’ll always be eternally grateful.

You love me despite all my flaws — and I’m aware that I have many. Your love is unconditional and I want you to know that its mutual. There is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you. I cant express my gratitude for everything you’ve done for me.

I know you always tell me that there’s no such thing as a perfect mom because you weren’t given a parenting guide, and maybe you’re right. Maybe there is no such thing as a perfect mom, but please know that you are the perfect mom for me.

Even if I had the ability to choose anyone else as my mom, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want our life any other way. Besides, I don’t think anyone else can handle all my crazy.

Love me, feed me, never leave me.

• Diana Alami, 22, Staff Writer.

To the best person I know…

For the past twenty years, you’ve been the one person in my life that has been a constant.

You are my mother, my best friend, my biggest supporter/fan and my rock all-in-one. I know I’m not the easiest person to deal with all of the time, but you give me a sense of stability.

I hope that one day I will encompass as much compassion and exude the same amount of selflessness that you do. You do everything for everyone, especially me, and I know that. I don’t know what I did to have the universe bless me with someone like you, but no one is deserving to have you in their life.

You are everything to me.

Happy Mothers Day.

All the love,

• Talin Hakopyan, 20, Editor in Chief, Sac.Media.

To the person who made me who I am…

Thank you for always encouraging me to be myself and to stay true to who I am. You have been there with me in my best moments and in my worst. Thank you for always staying up waiting for me when I work late so that we can drink tea together and catch up before bed. Thank you for encouraging me to follow my dreams and for teaching me to work hard to accomplish my goals. Thank you for reminding me that “I can, and I will” when I feel like giving up; you keep me going.

You are such an amazing, strong woman and that has shaped me into who I am today. I can go on and on thanking you for everything you do for me, but what I want you to know most is that you are a great mom, friend, teacher, cook, etc. and I love you so much!

• Carlos Pineda, 22, Staff Writer.

To the Karen to my Jack…

I have a mom who I love and who I know loves me eternally. But, I write this for my surrogate mother. For the woman who drives me insane, pushes me forward, worries more than she should, and loves me unconditionally.

I know you have your own children, but to me you will always be my second mother.

You have seen me grow from an awkward 18-year-old with no sense of fashion into a brave and strong man, who still has no sense of fashion. Some things you just can’t change.

Had it not been for you, I would be miserable in some lab studying the ocean.

Or I may not even be around.

That is the magnitude of the impact you’ve had on my life. From the late-night fits of laughter over some childish joke to the stern reprimands for my idiocy there is no one in this world who can take your place — and I don’t want there to be.

So, to the woman who knows me better than most and who is always there with a sympathetic ear or Cher reference, Happy Mothers Day, Toni. I wouldn’t be the man I am today with out you.

And never forget, I was your first gay.

• Albert Serna Jr, 26, Director of Branding and Business Development.

To the mom with way too much imagination…

To the person who taught me to see the world, not just look at it. Who said that no, clouds were not just floating puffs of microscopic water vapor… they were pirate ships, race cars, and space rockets…

To the person who said that trees were actually nymphs, immediately freezing when you looked at them, that flowers were really just busybodies always whispering secrets to one another, and that butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees carried fairies to far off places…

To my Mom, thank you for deciding that fostering my imagination was better than teaching me proper science.

If anyone is to blame for my overzealous imagination and problematic relationship with reality, it is you.

Happy Mothers Day, Mama. I wouldn’t be me, without you.

I love you.

• Bree Lopes, 23, Editor-In-Chief, Substance.

To the mothers we have lost…

Today you stopped breathing. We sat by your side for the last few days telling stories, playing your favorite jazz music, and finding some sense of normalcy in the fact that you were still alive. Even though your body barely resembled our beautiful mother, your spirit was there as you fought to stay alive. I whispered in your ear that it was okay to leave this earth and be free. I lied that we would all be okay in hopes of offering you peace. You continued to fight, breathing even though the rest of your organs had shut down. And just like that, it stopped. The fight. Over. It was peaceful, I suppose.

It’s been nearly 13 years since you took your last breath. It might as well have been yesterday. The pain is different, but always present. I miss you every day of my life. It might be a song (Sinatra or Ella), or a faint whiff of your perfume (Ombre Rose), or the taste of my morning coffee (must have the right amount of cream), or a sunset (you loved those) or your granddaughter’s smile that brings you back to me. And on this Mother’s Day…

I’ll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day and through

I’ll find you in the morning sun, and when the night is new
I’ll be looking at the moon, but I’ll be seeing you.

• Toni Albertson, Professor of Journalism and Student Media Adviser.

To mothers everywhere, thank you.

To the mothers that brought us to life, raised us, or adopted us later when we may have needed them the most, thank you. Thank you for not only bringing us into the world, but helping us survive it.

You are all truly amazing, each in your own way, and the world would not be the same without you in it.

Please remember your own mothers this upcoming weekend, and celebrate and cherish the beautiful women in your life that have taken on life’s most difficult job.

Best,

Substance

P.S. If you have something to say to your mother and would like to share it here, please leave us a response, we would love to hear about them!