It’s my first Mother’s Day. And while the weekend was both low-key and eventful (main highlights: a lot of downtime at home with my three best guys and an emergency visit from the paramedics when Tadashi* had an allergic reaction to formula), it’s also given me an opportunity to reflect on motherhood in general and, specifically, what that means within my life.
Today, on Mother’s Day, I want to recognize that who I am as a mother has only come to fruition because of a few notable individuals around me. So here are a few thank-you notes to a few important people in my life…
To my mom…
Thank you for exemplifying what it means to be strong, to love unconditionally, and to live selflessly. My hope in life is that I can live my life for my children the way you lived your life for my sisters, my brother, and me: we never wanted for anything, we always felt safe, and we always knew that you and Daddy believed in our potential and prioritized our happiness. Now that I am grown (and a mother myself), I’m thankful that I can talk to you about my fears and worries — and I’m glad that you are here to guide me on my path of motherhood. I’m happy that Tadashi has you for a grandmother.
To my sister…
Thank you for being my confidante and my peer in modern-day motherhood. I’m so glad that I can talk to you, vent to you, ask you questions about everything — even invite you to get impromptu mani-pedis at the nail salon down the street. I’m grateful that you live so close: you were instrumental to helping me overcome some of my biggest anxieties in early motherhood (like leaving the house or nursing in public). I’m excited to see our kids grow up together — I hope they are as close as the four of us are.
To my life partner…
The road to get to this place has not been easy, but I’m glad that you are the person who is by my side. Thank you for supporting me, trusting me, challenging me, and loving me through this rocky journey of early parenthood. Thank you for laughing with me when life proved ridiculous, for crying with me when I stumbled on this journey, for holding the faith when I felt hopeless. I am so grateful and glad that our son has you as a role model, Reggie.
To my canine offspring…
You are a constant source of joy and love. Thank you for always curling up on my lap and at my feet after a long, arduous day.
To my baby boy…
Every morning, every evening, every second of each day that I take a moment to look at you — I fall more and more in love with you. You have filled my heart so completely; I can no longer imagine my life without you in it. Every day, I pray for your health and your happiness, and I hope that I’m doing everything I can to make your life as beautiful and as joyful as possible. Daddy, Henri, and I love you so much. Thank you for making me your mother.
Happy Mother’s Day, everyone.
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