Scrolling through social media the other day, I stumbled upon the cutest memory—a snapshot from a family outing seven years ago. Back then, my partner, Alex, and I took our little one, Lily, to a local fire station for a preschool tour. They dressed her up in an oversized fire jacket and helmet, and Alex snapped a picture of me kneeling beside her, beaming with pride.
Funny how life works—at that time, Alex was always capturing candid moments of me with the kids. She’d show me the photos and say how adorable I looked. Yet, I would often focus on my appearance, thinking I looked awkward or out of shape, and would insist she delete the ones I didn’t like. I often relented after some back and forth, but looking back at that fire station photo, I’m struck by how young and carefree we all looked. It fills me with warmth just thinking about it.
However, I realized I wasn’t reciprocating nearly enough. Alex would occasionally ask why there weren’t more pictures of her with the kids—not just selfies. Instead of grabbing my phone and capturing those moments, I would just stay silent. I should have been sneaky, snapping away while she was reading to the kids, baking, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with them.
Now, I make an effort to take more pictures of Alex with our children. It might seem trivial, but it’s incredibly important. Parenting is a whirlwind, and time flies faster than we think. Every time I look back at those Facebook memories, I’m reminded of how fleeting these moments are. We all deserve to have beautiful memories of ourselves with our kids—not just selfies.
Taking photos is simple. Just whip out your phone and catch your partner in the act—whether it’s reading a story, baking cookies, or cuddling on the couch. Be stealthy about it. Capture those candid moments. Alex deserves to have memories where she can see how the kids look at her with admiration, love, or even a hint of frustration. She deserves to view motherhood from a different lens.
She might not love the way she looks in the moment—maybe she feels she looks tired or disheveled. But take the picture anyway. If she prefers not to share it online, that’s completely fine. You don’t even have to show her right away. Wait until time has passed, and the kids have changed, and then surprise her with those snapshots. Talk about how much you appreciate her efforts as a mother.
Capturing these moments communicates volumes without saying a word. It shows your partner that you value her hard work and the beauty of motherhood. It’s a small act that can mean so much, helping her recall moments she might have overlooked as insignificant.
So, grab that phone, and start capturing the beautiful chaos of family life. It’s one of the simplest yet most overlooked gestures you can make to show your partner how much you admire her.
Summary:
Taking candid photos of your partner with the kids is a meaningful way to capture the beauty of family life. These moments are fleeting, and they deserve to be documented. By snapping pictures in the moment—whether it’s during story time or baking—you’re not only creating memories but also showing your partner how much you appreciate her role as a mother. It’s a small gesture that can have a lasting impact on your family’s history.
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