ICYMI, last week Serena Williams announced the arrival of her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, with the most adorable video documenting Serena's pregnancy.
And now Serena has written a heartfelt open letter to her own mother, Oracene Price, about the trials of motherhood.
"You are one of the strongest women I know," the letter begins.
I was looking at my daughter (OMG, yes, I have a daughter 😳) and she has my arms and legs! My exact same strong, muscular, powerful, sensational arms and body. I don't know how I would react if she has to go through what I've gone through since I was a 15 year old and even to this day.
"I've been called man because I appeared outwardly strong," Serena continues. "It has been said that I use drugs (No, I have always had far too much integrity to behave dishonestly in order to gain an advantage)."
She goes on to thank her mother for her strength and class in response to the haters Serena has encountered during her career.
"Mom, I'm not sure how you did not go off on every single reporter, person, announcer and quite frankly, hater, who was too ignorant to understand the power of a black woman," she writes.
I am proud we were able to show them what some women look like. We don't all look the same. We are curvy, strong, muscular, tall, small, just to name a few, and all the same: we are women and proud! You are so classy, I only wish I could take your lead. I am trying, though, and God is not done with me yet. I have a LONG way to go, but thank you. Thank you for being the role model I needed to endure all the hardships that I now regard as challenges – ones that I enjoy. I hope to teach my baby Alexis Olympia the same, and have the same fortitude you have had.
"Promise me, Mom, that you will continue to help. I'm not sure if I am as meek and strong as you are yet. I hope to get there one day. I love you dearly," the letter concludes.
Now if you'll excuse me, I think I have something in my eye. 😭
