I’m so excited to share a first today, friends!! I’ve been on a writing streak lately (knock on wood that it continues…) and my first piece for Ravishly just went up this morning. And of course, it’s an essay on two of my favorite things: Binge-watching The Golden Girls and Mother’s Day!

The idea for “How Binge-Watching The Golden Girls Brought Me Closer To My Mom” had been brewing in my head for a few months. Actually, ever since we started watching my favorite retired ladies from Miami. It certainly didn’t matter that we’d seen the show approximately one million times before — it was just as funny as if we were watching it for the first time. Only this time? I learned some important lessons about the mother/daughter relationship — just in time for Mother’s Day!

Here’s an excerpt of the essay, in which I finally see myself in the role of Dorothy and my mom in the role of Sophia…

I saw the relationship between Dorothy and her mother Sophia, and it reflected our relationship — the adult relationship I was finally starting to have with my own mother. It was no longer the relationship between that of a mother and her young child. It now more closely resembled a relationship of equals. Gone were the days of a mother hovering over her daughter, trying to exert dominance. Our relationship was blossoming into a solid friendship based on respect, love, and admiration. And for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.

I could fully identify with Dorothy, particularly since she struggled with the changing roles in her relationship with her mother. She saw herself become more of a caregiver than ever before and you could tell that she worried a lot about her mother. In the last few years — and especially since my father died — I’ve noticed my role changing a bit with my mother. I’m learning to navigate those waters of wanting to take care of her, yet still respecting her boundaries. At the very least, I have a new appreciation for what my mother must have gone through in raising me.

You can read the full essay here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo