“When was the last time you told Mom how much you loved her?” The question at the start of this beautiful Mother’s Day video is an important one we should all ask ourselves— and if the answer isn’t recent enough, there’s also inspiration for how to remedy that situation!

In fact, the gesture from son Ryan to his mom Cindy is setting a whole new high bar for how to show our mothers our appreciation for how much they’ve always done for us. If the last time you said “I love you” was a just a quick, routine reflex at the end of a phone call, consider doing something a little bigger and more creative than simple flowers for Mother’s Day this year. After all, our moms are the whole reason we’re even here; they deserve a truly special gift.

Granted, gold-star-son Ryan is also sending his mother flowers, but he’s sending something else along with it. Rather than simply hand over the bouquet, Bonnie the Teleflora delivery woman pulls out a tablet and shows Cindy a video message Ryan’s recorded for her. Less than a minute into it, Cindy’s in tears.

Why did Ryan choose to record a message rather than write a card, and why is Cindy so immediately emotional? Well you see, beyond the usual mother-son bond, Ryan and Cindy don’t actually get to see each other that often, thanks to Ryan’s career as a Naval Commander. “The distance between us isn’t always easy,” Ryan says in the video, and goes on to recall:

It’s actually pretty hard sometimes. I still remember the last time we saw each other; it was almost two years ago. I was passing through San Diego on my way out to Japan, and you drove two hours just to sit down and have coffee with me for 45 minutes, just discussing what’s going on in our lives before I had to get on my flight, continue on. I miss you; it’s been hard.

The distance is especially difficult because Cindy raised Ryan as a single parent, sacrificing her dreams of a professional sports career and dedicating everything to making sure her boy would have a happy, successful life. She absolutely achieved her goal – Ryan attributes his success in the Navy and in his own family entirely to the values she instilled in him – but that achievement means even more separation between the two of them.

It’s a sacrifice both are working hard to make sure doesn’t derail their special bond. Ryan goes on to say:

You always said the reward for hard work well done is the opportunity to do more. Well, you’re right. I’ve done well in the Navy, and I’ve got more hard work ahead of me, and I think it’s going to be even harder to see each other. And that’s why I wanted to make this Mother’s Day so truly special.

To see how Ryan fulfilled that wish even beyond this incredible video message – and to see the rest of his amazing, heartfelt tribute – be sure to watch Teleflora’s video below.

You may not be able to do something this epic for your mom, but any gesture of love, appreciation and thanks is sure to go a long way with Mom this year. How do you plan to celebrate her? What’s the best way you’ve even shown your mother you’re grateful for her? Moms, what are the best ways your kids have thanked you? Share with us and each other!