A personal letter to my mother

Even when everyone else had left me, you did not. Even when I gave you every reason to leave me, you did not.

It was only after so many years of doing my own thing, meeting people and exploring the world around me that I realized love is not limited to a partner or circle of friends. To have just one person who can genuinely and unconditionally love you in your life is a true blessing. If this will be the only love that I would know until the end of my life, then so be it - it is enough for me. I do not have the need to search for more or search for other. When every other door closed around me, you had always left yours open. So I thank you for loving me and accepting me when others had given up and walked away.

When I became of legal age, I thought that I would be good at understanding everything that there was to know about adulthood. But I now understand what you meant when you always said "you're still too young". So hopefully, I am now (somewhat, if not, more) mentally of age to be able to help you work towards and achieve your dreams. When I was younger, there were times where I thought that I was "doing too much" for you. But now, I realize that everything I have done and will continue to do for you will never match up to what you have contributed and supported me with. I still have a learning curve, however, I know that you will always be there, patiently waiting for me just like you always have. Our journey is only just beginning here. So, hopefully, we will have all the time in the world together to do all the things that we have always wanted to do, and maybe even more.

My name is Diana, and I am now 25 years of age. As you can see in the picture, I had just recently graduated. The wonderful lady next to me is my mother. She means everything to me. She had hope in me when I had none left in the world or in myself. She was the one who loved me when others had turned a blind eye.

It was quite a journey for me as I explored the world and opportunities around me. More spefically, I was eager to search for my partner-in-crime; someone that I would love and grow old with. I knew that my family would always love me, but I always differentiated that type of love with the type of romance that most people desire - you know, like the ones you see in movies. With time, I slowly learned that love was not limited to a boyfriend or partner of any sort. I realized that love was with me all along. When I was younger, I didn't appreciate my mother as much as I should have. For these reasons, I have the strong will to make her dream come true.

Background about Us, and About the Cause.

We are a mother and daughter team who owns and operates a local Chinese dance school. We hold it to our heart to teach and promote culture, because... if we don't do it, then who will? It is absolutely key that someone goes out and teaches the younger generation about our culture so that it is preserved. The only issue is that we have no set home base for our school; our school exists in many places. And because of this, we are not able to expand our school as we had planned to do so. My mother started this 25 years ago when I was still in her belly. 25 years later, I am helping her with the dance program. But looking back, I realize that these 25 years have passed too fast - way too fast. I wish I had grown up faster, and helped her more.

Dance is the one of the few things that have gone "right" in my mother's life. It is what makes my mother get up from bed every day. It is truly her passion to just dance and teach dance.

So, for all these reasons, I am reaching out in hopes of being able to help my mom make her dream come true - her dream of having a studio where she can dance and teach dance however much she wants. If successful, the funds would be used to acquire a location where we can set home-base for our studio. It would have a comfortable waiting room, administration area, changerooms/washrooms, and 2-3 studios. The funds would also be used on renovations that would be needed for the studio. I know $1.5 million seems a bit much, but truthfully, the property that we are looking at is $375 - $395 per squarefoot... and this rate doesn't even include operating/additional costs (ie. utilities, insurance, etc.). I am not here to crowdfund for more money than what is actually needed. I just want to help make my mom's dream come true so that we will be able to celebrate this milestone together.

I have had many doubts in whether this will happen or not. But I am determined to keep hoping, and to keep trying.