My mom and I have baked together for as long as I can remember. We started out making cookies when I was probably 2 - I would crack eggs and stir together the dry ingredients, and watch as she combined everything in the big mixer, and then I got to lick the beaters. We would watch the cookies bake under the oven lights and she would hug me and tell me her secrets about how to make the best cookies in the world. She is a pro at all kinds of baking but probably her signature thing has been sugar cookies with a hint of lemon - they're amazing. When I was in 3rd grade she brought different shapes of cookies to my class every week - I was so popular! At Christmas we would really shine; we made tons of different cookies and I would decorate each specially with her encouragement and we gave them to people around the city (and that meant a lot of people and cookies, since my mom can't help but make friends wherever she goes). In high school, I got into cooking and bread baking and we spent even more time together in the kitchen, talking about life, her giving me advice and just listening to me, laughing together and nibbling at yummy ingredients and various doughs. Now I live 1800 miles away but we still always think of each other and are together in spirit when we are in our respective kitchens, and we call each other up for baking advice and to tell about our baking fiascoes and successes. I have a frame over my sink with photos of us over the years baking together - it makes me happy every time I see it. Happy Mother's Day, Mom, my favorite baker and best friend!!

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