For nine months I waited, planned, and expanded. It was a time of change and excitement. As my body tried to get used to the strange feelings of a living being growing inside of me, with every passing day a new-found awe and appreciation for life grew little by little until the most miraculous of my days arrived. Before long, my bright blue eyed little
“monster” was squirming in my arms and nuzzling into my embrace. I fell in love harder and faster than ever before. I thought I could never love anyone as much as my husband, but my pint-sized mini-me proved me wrong (as he has done so many times since then). For the first time in my life I truly understood what it meant to love unconditionally and felt that I would willingly and without hesitation jump in front of a bullet to save my child. Almost as instantly as I was overcome with so much love, fear reared its ugly head. For as much as I wanted to love and protect this tiny little baby, I knew that eventually I’d have to let him go and experience the world—a world which is often as cruel as it is wondrous. Nearly ten years have passed since then, and not one day goes by in which I don’t worry about my children. As a newbie mommy, this was one emotion I didn’t realize was cemented into the foundation of parenthood. I know now that for the rest of my existence I will agonize over my children’s decisions, applaud their triumphs, and weep over their each and every heartbreak. Motherhood has shown me what it means to love, to live, and to grow as an individual. Each day I’m more amazed by my little balls of energy, who have shown me how to laugh when life is stressful and to embrace every precious moment of every day. Life is truly the most blessed of gifts. Wishing every mom, aunt, teacher, and friend who has shaped the life of a child a very Happy Mother’s Day! Image: Me and my Mini-Me on the day I became a Mommy in 2001
To the Keepers of My Heart:
• I never understood why life was a miracle until I became pregnant and felt you moving inside of me.
• I never knew how much I could truly love someone unconditionally until your tiny hand grasped my finger the day you were born.
• I never knew what it meant to be overprotective until you left my arms for the first time.
• I never felt fear until you learned to roll over (it’s only grown every day since then…).
• I never hurt until I had to hold you for the nurses to give you shots.
• I never knew my heart could explode with joy until you wrapped your arms around my neck tightly and hugged me for the first time on your own.
• I never laughed more in life than in the years you taught me to not take life so seriously.
• I never knew the pain of heartbreak until I felt it through your first disappointment and the day you realized happiness is a blessing not shared by everyone, every day.
• I never felt real pride until the day you took your first step, wrote your first letter, painted your first picture, or stepped courageously into preschool on your own.
• I never understood just how quickly time flies until I look back on the past nine years and realize it literally seems like yesterday that you were little, helpless babies dependent upon me and your dad for everything.
• Until I became a mom, I never truly appreciated the sacrifices my own mom made to raise me, teach me, love me, and let me go.
• I never truly believed in a higher power until we met for the first time.
In the very instant you were born, my life changed permanently, eternally. It was a moment that couldn’t be seen or even described in words. It was a feeling, but a feeling so monumental I knew my life—my very existence—would never be the same. You are more precious than diamonds and sweeter than honey. And without you, my life would be a moonless, starless night. Thank you for choosing me to be your mom. I love you infinitely.
Mommy
PS 1—I love you, Mom. Thanks for being the best (& most patient) mom ever!
PS2—To my husband, thank you for making me the happiest woman, wife, and mother!
PS3—Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who is a mom—biologically or otherwise—and makes a positive difference in the lives of children.
“monster” was squirming in my arms and nuzzling into my embrace. I fell in love harder and faster than ever before. I thought I could never love anyone as much as my husband, but my pint-sized mini-me proved me wrong (as he has done so many times since then). For the first time in my life I truly understood what it meant to love unconditionally and felt that I would willingly and without hesitation jump in front of a bullet to save my child. 
