Reflecting On Motherhood

It seems appropriate that today, on Mother’s Day, I reflect on the journey of motherhood. It’s been a wild ride for me, my friend – one that’s been filled with laughter, and tears, and literally everything in between. There have been moments of pure joy and moments of complete and total despair (those teenage years…). But in all honesty, I wouldn’t change a single thing about it, because you know what? It all got me here.

When I first became a mom, I was excited and thought I was ready. But, I had no idea how demanding babies can be. Everything was new and overwhelming, and I wasn’t at all prepared for the sacrifices I’d need to make as a mom. Those early days were rough. But day by day, I started to get things figured out – I learned how to soothe a crying baby like a pro, how to change a diaper in record time to avoid being peed on, and how to function on only a few hours of sleep.

As our girls grew up, so did I. There were so many lessons. I learned how to be (really) patient, how to prioritize what’s important in the moment (are pants really necessary?), and how to find joy in the simple things, because sometimes that’s all there is. And you know what? All of these lessons helped me grow not just as a mom, but as a person. Being a mom taught me to slow down and be present, to take it all in, and to appreciate everything, because before you know it, they’re grown.

And boy does it go fast. It feels like yesterday I had tiny little girls, and now they’re adults. I remember watching my children take their first steps, say their first words, and develop their funny little personalities. Watching them learn to drive, graduate, and start jobs made me so proud. I’ve been there for every dance recital, art show, basketball game, and school dance. And don’t even get me started on all the mistakes, losses, and heartaches, I’ve been through all of those too. Not one minute of it was easy, but I’ve come to realize that every single second was precious.

As I look back on my long journey through motherhood, I can’t help but be filled with immense gratitude – for the good, for the bad, and even for the moments I didn’t know if I’d survive (which I had more than my fair share of). Each one of those things helped shaped me, as a human, and made me stronger – better even. I’m grateful for the opportunity to watch my children grow and learn to thrive on their own, becoming beautiful women. But the thing I’m the most grateful for is the memories we made along the way. Because those, my friend, are the real treasure.

While nothing about motherhood is easy, it’s singlehandedly been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Being a mother taught me more about resilience, strength, and unconditional love than anything else in this life, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

So, to all the mamas out there who are navigating the ups and downs of motherhood with me, no matter where you’re at, remember that you aren’t alone. We’re all on this beautifully hard journey together. Children grow up quickly and though it may not feel like it, it goes fast. So promise me that you’ll hold on as long as you can, and cherish those small moments, because those are the ones that’ll stick with you, forever. Happy Mother’s Day.