Dear T,

Thinking of you tonight as I was quite near your office while going to my mother-in-law's apartment. Also earlier today when I questioned H as to why he didn't tell his mother that he didn't want what she was making for his birthday dinner.

I realized that it showed a shift in me--how I could see, say, 5 years ago, if my own mother had said "I'm just going to make x for your dinner, is that OK?" I likely would have just agreed, even if it wasn't something I particularly wanted (I mean, if she said she was going to make a steak, I'd have been like, "Hello, I've been vegetarian for 25 years!") But now, even if she just stated what she was making, without a question, or she said we'd go to some restaurant I didn't like, I'd speak up. I'd advocate for myself now, rather than just going the people-pleasing route and being unhappy.

My work with you is responsible for that shift. Among other things. Thank you for that.

Love,
LT