It’s funny how life surprises you sometimes. Just the other day, someone asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. I mean, what are my little one and I going to do? Go shopping? Make crafts? Not likely. I treated myself to a special Mother’s Day gift weeks ago, and honestly, if I could wish for anything right now, it would be a glorious chance to sleep in—until noon, preferably!
This weekend marks a significant milestone for me: my very first Mother’s Day with my little one in my arms. It’s also my first celebration as a single mom. Prior to this, I had four Mother’s Days under my belt as an unofficial mom—three of those during my struggles with pregnancy loss, and the last one when I was expecting but kept it to myself.
This year, after all that waiting, I finally get to participate fully. The celebration won’t be extravagant—a simple BBQ at my mom’s house. I won’t enjoy sleeping in or have a day of relaxation without dishes or laundry. There won’t be flowers or breakfast in bed. Nope, just me and my baby.
But here’s the joy: I get to wake up and lift my baby from her crib. I can shower her with kisses on that sweet spot where her neck meets her cheek—she loves it! I’ll cuddle her as she sips on her morning bottle, watching Mickey Mouse. I can lay her on the couch while she gently rubs her tiny hands on my face (this new habit absolutely melts my heart). I’ll choose her outfit for the day, complete with adorable bows and shoes.
I’ll secure her in her car seat and take her along to my mom’s house to celebrate my first official Mother’s Day. Throughout the day, I’ll soak in compliments about how precious she is. I’ll pace around my mom’s spare room, trying to coax her into a nap, only to be there when she wakes up just 15 minutes later, beaming with pride for having slept at all.
I’ll lay on the floor next to her as she figures out how to roll over and watch her chew on her teething rings for relief. At day’s end, I’ll take her home, experiencing the joy of introducing her to solid foods and laughing at the funny faces she makes. I’ll run her bath, watching her delight in the warm water while she plays with the washcloth.
I’ll rub her down with baby lotion and find her the coziest pajamas for snuggling. Feeding her the nighttime bottle while we watch more Mickey Mouse, I’ll bounce her around the living room, and when she wakes after being laid down, I’ll do more laps to settle her again. I’ll tune into the baby monitor, listening to her sweet breathing as she sleeps, and wash her bottles to prepare for another day of motherhood.
I feel so fulfilled. This is everything I have waited for. I am happy, and I love her so much that sometimes it overwhelms me. On Mother’s Day, I will always remember the moment she was born—the first cry, the touch of her face, and the sweet moments we shared alone.
I’m overflowing with gratitude. I feel blessed, happy, and completely whole. How could it possibly get any better than this? Happy Mother’s Day to me, and to all the moms out there: the new moms, seasoned moms, expectant moms, adoptive moms, those who have faced loss, aunts, grandmas, sisters, nieces, cousins, guardians, godmothers, and fur moms. Anyone who knows that kind of love deserves a happy Mother’s Day.
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Summary
This heartfelt reflection captures the joy and challenges of spending my first Mother’s Day as a single mom, celebrating the small moments that make motherhood fulfilling. It emphasizes the love and gratitude I feel, making every experience with my baby precious and meaningful.
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