Here at WKYC, we're all about celebrating amazing moms. And with Mother's Day just around the corner, we asked viewers to write in to tell us about the outstanding moms in their lives.
We received many touching stories -- including a letter from 8-year-old Fatmah Alkdhour of North Olmsted, who wrote:
"Hello, my name is Fatmah Niazi Alkhdour and I'm almost 9 years old. My mom cares so much for all of us a lot. We have 9 kids total in our family and she never has time for herself. She's always helping out the neighbors and her own family, us. She never paints her nails or toes. Sometimes she does her makeup and hair. After she had her last baby, which was her last one, she had a c section and was high risk and always dangerous to have babies, she risked it to have us. We all love her so much. My mom really deserves something special shes always doing things for others, plans parties for others, donates to charities, gives clothing and baby items away to help others. She has back problems a lot and sometimes she can't do much. Her back always hurts her but [she is] still able to show her love for us by still going above to make us and everyone happy except for herself. She'ss truly everything to our community and has a heart of gold. Please help my mom get a tiny break. Thank you so very very much."
Armed with a few surprises, Channel 3's Lindsay Buckingham made her way to the Alkhdour home to meet Fatmah, and her mom, Malak.
Malak told us she was touched by her daughter's letter, made all the more poignant as this year marks nine years since the passing of her own mother, Amy.
"She had a heart of gold, and I believe that I am taking after that from her…and [Fatmah] reminds me of me when I would do things for my mom at that age," she said.
Special thanks to Lush & Lovely Floristry for providing the beautiful bouquet, to Lovely Paperie in Rocky River for gifting a Lily Pulitzer outfit and to Le Nails in North Olmsted for the manicure pedicure!