For as long as I can remember, my mom has loved Christmas. I grew up knowing that each holiday season would be filled with a myriad of lights, cookies — truthfully, too many — presents under the tree and lots of laughter.

She used to tell me that when she was little, Christmas was never that big of a deal to her family — so much so that she only remembers having a tree in her house one year. Despite this, she didn’t turn into the Grinch, in fact, she was quite the opposite. She took it upon herself to give me everything she always wanted to have as a little girl.

So, she made sure to spend hours with me picking out ornaments and decorating the tree to both of our hearts’ content. She made sure the family took trips throughout our neighborhood to look at all the Christmas lights, drink hot cocoa and watch silly Hallmark romantic-comedies, full of mistletoe and meet-cutes.

Although my dad and I picked out gifts for her — mine typically coming from the Dollar store, paid for with my own quarters — I think her favorite gift was watching me experience the holiday season and growing to love it just as much as she does.

For the Christmas season, I always update my years-long, ever-growing playlist for us and, of course, Pentatonix is on it. Each year, I hope that they come out with an album full of new renditions of classic songs. So, when they released “Evergreen” in 2021, I listened with excitement. What I wasn’t expecting was to begin crying at the title track.

“So, come on, girl, let’s sit by the fire

I want to tell you a story about my mother

How she would give up everything for her daughter’s dreams,

Yeah, a mother’s love is evergreen

For all the weight she carried, she ain’t tired

I spend my whole life trying to be more like her

So, on every Christmas Eve

I thank my family tree

Yeah, a mother’s love gave us everything

Oh, a mother’s love is evergreen”

I immediately felt connected to the song. Not only does it sound beautiful, but the lyrics mean so much to me. Even writing this, there are tears in my eyes because they’re true. I know years down the road, when my mom is no longer here, I’ll be telling my future children about her and all that she sacrificed for me. I know that both of my parents worked jobs they hated to make sure I never went without. I know that she never bought things for herself to ensure that I got the coolest new toy or outfit. And I know that she’d do it all over again with no hesitation.

I’ll also be sure to let them know how much she loved Christmas and to make sure we always go see the lights, drink too much hot chocolate and wake up extra early on Christmas day, just like she would want us to.

I can be honest; my mom and I haven’t always had a great relationship, but as I’ve grown older and our connection has blossomed, I recognize all that she did and I love where we’re at today. Despite the arguments we have and how she — lovingly — annoys me sometimes, I see qualities of her in myself that I’m proud of. She’s loyal, independent and will definitely call someone out in a heartbeat.

As this holiday season continues to move forward, and this song blasts in my headphones, I have these appreciative thoughts a little more. Just knowing how much Christmas means to her and the memories we share, there will never be a day I don’t listen to this song and cry.

A mother’s love is evergreen. So, not only this Christmas season, but every day, I thank my family tree for letting me know and experience her’s.

Kelley is a reporter for the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. She can be reached via email at brittanyk@haysfreepress.com.