Sorry Kids, Your Mom is a Crier

I am a crier. It doesn't matter if it's a particularly poignant episode of Say Yes to The Dress, or high school graduation: you'll find me with wet cheeks and a runny nose. I can't help it.

My tendency to wear my emotions on my sleeve (like, literally, tears wiped on my sleeve) is a source of bewilderment and, occasionally, embarrassment for my kids. If I had a nickel for every time they've looked at me - incredulously - and asked "Mom, are you CRYING?" I'd be able to buy myself those nice tissues with the lotion in them.

This weekend, I cried as I paid my youngest daughter's college deposit. I cried as I watched her sit in a presentation about her intended major (she just looked so GROWN UP) and - if I'm being totally honest - I'm getting choked up as I write this.

I cry at every single one of those puppy doggie rescue videos on Facebook.
I cry at the videos of soldiers coming home to surprised family members.
I cry at that commercial with the moms and the kids in the Olympics.
I cry at the Olympics.
I cry in the car with my kids because I just love being with them.
I cry at movies - and not just the scenes that are designed to make you cry, but the other ones too. (Like seriously, that scene where the mom and the daughter are fighting in Inside Out - I know it's a cartoon, but...I actually ugly cried. And embarrassed my own kids.)

I think my brain has difficulty translating emotions into a physical response. It's almost like my brain runs out of options and "cry" is the default.

Brain: She seems super happy. What should we do?
Other part of Brain: I don't know. Cry?
Brain: Sounds good!
Tear Ducts: Seriously? Again??

Yup. If you like this post, don't tell me. It'll just make me cry.