What the Mothers in My Life Taught Me
How the mothers in my life shaped the way I think about love, resilience, and living well
Mothers are the foundation of health. Period.
From the moment we’re born, we rely on mothers for care, nourishment, and love.
There aren’t enough words to fully capture what mothers mean to the world. But today, I can try to share a few of the lessons I’ve learned from the incredible women in my life.
I know I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. And my hope is that this inspires you to reach out to a mother in your life and tell her what she means to you.
There is so much invisible work that mothers do. And sometimes, it deserves to be seen, acknowledged, and celebrated.
So here’s my attempt to shine a light on the mothers who shaped me.
My Grandma
My grandma was a special human.
She raised six kids in Southeast DC with far less than most, yet carried everything with grace. She remembered everything, had a sharp sense of humor, and was full of wisdom.
She taught me what true strength looks like. How to listen. The importance of family and tradition.
I’ll never forget the hugs, the food, the stories.
I’m grateful she got to meet her great-grandchild and share her love one more generation forward.
She is missed deeply.
Qualities I admire: Love. Tradition. Patience. Care. Humor. Wisdom. Grace.
My Best Friend’s Mom, Eva Eckenrode
Eva was one of the earliest mother figures in my life outside of my own mom.
I practically lived at their house growing up. And I never once left hungry.
She is grace personified.
She taught me patience, respect, and how to care for people. I learned so much about food, cooking, and what it means to create a home.
She raised three boys, somehow kept us all in line, and supported us as athletes and as humans.
A truly beautiful person, inside and out.
Qualities I admire: Grace. Health. Patience. Joy. Positivity. Respect. Family.
My Mother-in-Law, Dawne Ward
From day one, I’ve been welcomed like family.
Dawne is southern hospitality turned all the way up. To this day, I can’t walk into her house without being offered food, a drink, or anything I might need.
She is one of the most thoughtful people I know. Always looking for ways to brighten someone’s day.
She’s been a constant supporter of my work, my growth, and my life. And she’s taught me lessons in generosity, financial awareness, service, and how to treat people well.
I see her in my wife every single day. And that says everything.
Qualities I admire: Energy. Positivity. Joy. Service. Thoughtfulness. Tradition.
My Sister
My sister, Rian. Amber, as I call her.
We’ve always had a special connection. We think big. We dream. We create.
Our conversations stretch my mind and leave me inspired.
As a mother, she is resilient, passionate, and deeply loving. She gives everything to her kids and makes sure they feel it.
She’s taught me how to express myself, challenge norms, and go after big ideas.
Watching her raise her kids has been one of the greatest gifts.
Qualities I admire: Creativity. Passion. Expression. Resilience. Unconditional love.
My Wife
My wife. My best friend. My anchor.
The most selfless person I know.
You hold everything together with patience, love, and quiet strength.
I don’t say it enough, but everything we’ve built is because of you.
The boys and I are beyond lucky.
And I can’t wait for everything we’ll continue to build together.
Qualities I admire: Love. Support. Trust. Commitment. Selflessness. Family.
My Mom
Mama. Nana.
The strongest woman I know.
A single mother who did whatever it took to give us a great life. Never asking for anything in return. Just doing what needed to be done.
You taught me work ethic. Patience. Grit. Love.
You supported every dream. Encouraged every curiosity. Pushed me to explore, to grow, to become.
As I wrote in my book:
“Every day in my life, I try to embody the qualities I learned from my mother… my passion for knowledge, my desire to help others, and my curiosity are all a product of her.”
You still amaze me. The way you take on challenges. The way you figure things out. The way you keep growing stronger with age.
There aren’t enough words.
So I’ll just say this. I love you. And I’ll keep doing my best to make you proud.
Qualities I admire: Unconditional love. Strength. Resilience. Wisdom. Selflessness.
Final Thought
To all the mothers in my life, and to those I didn’t name here.
Thank you. I love you.
And to everyone reading this, take a moment today.
Reflect on the mothers in your life.
What they’ve given you.
What they’ve taught you.
Then don’t just reflect. Reach out. Tell them.
Mothers may never get all the credit they deserve.
But we can do our part to honor them.
Happy Mother’s Day ❤️