I can still remember Mother’s Day 2023, when I was extremely pregnant with Ollie, and our sweet friend Lauren Kirkbride came by to capture maternity photos. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and Ben, Lauren, and I spent a couple of hours laughing until we cried — mainly because I was so large, I didn’t realize how challenging it would be for me to maneuver from pose to pose.

What I remember most was the feeling like Ben and I were on the precipice of something so special, exciting, and life-changing. We’d spent over 10 years married, over 15 years hand-in-hand, and were about to embark on our biggest adventure yet. In one picture, we’re staring at one another with big smiles but tears in our eyes — because the moment just felt so big and unlike anything we had experienced before.

Even as we celebrated my first and second official Mother’s Days, I was just so excited to be part of the club — women who, like me, had journeyed through the challenges of pregnancy, the daunting task of childbirth, and the shaky early months of new motherhood — and were emerging as entirely new people.

Now, as I celebrate my third Mother’s Day, I realize I have a different perspective than I once had. I now believe that motherhood is a shared experience — a shared adventure — our family. This morning, Ollie very randomly woke at 5:00 AM, and I had Ben bring her to our bed for an early morning snuggle. (Once she’s awake, she won’t go back to sleep — which is perfectly fine.) I got to hold her, smell her hair, and laugh with her. She loves to create songs and make up silly words. She makes herself laugh, which in turn, makes me laugh — and we spend at least an hour just giggling while Ben pretends he’s going to be able to successfully go back to sleep.

We had breakfast together as a family, and then Ollie and I read a few books in our sunroom, until I needed to leave for 7:15 AM Pilates. She sat on my lap while we read, and then asked “Mama, can I go with you to Pilates someday?” I told her of course, and then I described the entire class to her, because I know how excited she is.

I returned home from Pilates with Starbucks for Ben, Ollie, and myself — a coffee for Ben, a decaf iced latte for me, and a Peter Rabbit strawberry banana pouch for Ollie. As soon as she heard the garage open, she waited by the door. Then, she quickly noticed the pouch in my hand, skipped away with it, and cheerfully shouted “WOW! Thank you, mama!” from all the way across the room. She was so excited about her pouch, Ben had to remind her that there were flowers and a gift for Mother’s Day on the kitchen island. “I can open your gift for you, mama!” she said. And of course I encouraged her to — because I know how happy and excited she was to help.

We spent the entire morning packing for our upcoming Disney vacation, with moments for snuggling, tickling, laughing, and dancing in between. We had lunch as a family, when Ollie told me that, instead of lunch, she actually prefers sweet treats. (Noted! 😂)

And after lunch, Ollie and I went to her room for storytime and naptime. Our storytime and naptime routine has certainly evolved over the years — starting in the rocking chair, moving to the floor, moving to her reading chair, and now back to the rocking chair. But what I love most about this era of storytime and naptime is that it ends with a long snuggle in her rocking chair. She’s so much bigger now (Almost 3!) but I can still cradle her in my arms and stare into her big brown eyes while we sing Wheels on the Bus together over and over. She still puts her sweet little hand on her soft, round cheek when she snuggles up to me, the same thing she’s done since she was a newborn baby.

Today, I just looked at her and smiled as her eyes started drifting closed. Then her eyes popped open and she said, “Mama loves Ollie.” and I said “I do love Ollie! I love you because you’re Ollie. Your heart is big and kind, and I’m so proud of you.” She said “I love you too, mama. Happy Mother’s Day. I love you so, so much.” Mother’s Day gifts are wonderful — but the pure joy of being a family who has so much love for one another is beyond special.

These days, per Ollie’s request, I lay on the floor beside her crib with my hand resting on her butt — also per her request. 😂 I lay there while she drifts to sleep. I stared at her sweet face thinking: Mother’s Day is for her, too. She’s the magical girl who made me a mom — and she’s more wonderful than I can even convey. Mother’s Day is for Ben, too — my love, my partner, my best friend. He’s encouraged me, supported me, and reminded me that my best is good enough.

Our family is experiencing so much right now — preparing for a vacation, planning Ollie’s 3rd birthday party, and then a huge change in July. What I know is that, when we’re together, we have everything. I’m so grateful for a Mother’s Day that is both fun and celebratory and a reminder of the magic that exists in everyday moments.

Happy Mother’s Day!