Love You More

“I love you, Mom” I say while waiting for her response. 

I know exactly what she’ll say to me and exactly the tone she’ll say it in. My mom is supposed to say, “Love you more” in her sing-songy voice. So, I wait, fingers crossed, and wait.

“I love you, Mom” she repeats back to me. It’s hard to hear, but I smile at her with tears in my eyes and kiss her on the forehead. 

I miss hearing “Love you more”.