Motherhood…
It’s not just a word. It is a wonderful, beautiful, and challenging privilege!
This year marks my 21st year of motherhood. It’s been a minute! My husband and I have been happily married for 24 years and have three beautiful children: our oldest, a daughter, is turning 21 this year; our second, a son, is turning 19; and our youngest, another son, is 15.
As I think back over the years that have flown by, I try to remember the younger me—before babies—but I struggle to recall who I was.
Motherhood changed me. I don’t think it defines me, but it has definitely transformed me.
Motherhood changed how I love: I remember when our oldest was born, I called my mom one day and told her I finally understood how much they as my parents love me. The love you have for your children is indescribable, and I only truly understood real love when I had children of my own.
Motherhood changed how I dress: from maternity wear to spending entire days in pajamas, to prioritizing comfort over style, to being dressed by my teenagers and young adults. And now, as a 47-year-old menopausal woman, I’m trying to rediscover my own style again.
Motherhood changed how I eat: From simple dinners for two, to more thoughtful, nutritious meals for a family of five.
Motherhood changed my body: Every mom knows what I mean. My body stretched and shrank several times, and now I just try to keep everything from sagging. But gravity and age are not kind to a woman’s body.
Motherhood changed how I sleep: For a whole 10 years, I got up at night for crying babies and toddlers. But now? I don’t leave my bed once I’m in it—not even for open cupboard doors or lights left on. When I’m in bed, I AM IN BED!
Motherhood changed my marriage: From being a young couple with spontaneous movie nights, beach walks, and lazy weekend mornings, we suddenly had to plan everything. And I loved seeing the change in my husband—being a dad really suited him. Raising our kids together has been a journey, and it’s made us stronger as a couple. I’m so happy we could give our kids a happy home.
I’ve been through all the seasons of motherhood: from pregnancy; to having a small baby and two toddlers under the age of five; to the pre-teen years (which were my favourite); full-on teenagers (loved this too); and now, young adults. Seeing our kids grow into respectable and responsible young people is the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever had.
Motherhood definitely changed me.
But it was—and still is—the best change of my life.
Happy Mother’s Month to all you wonderful MAMAS!
– JE
