Motherhood is so much more than I ever imagined it to be. It’s exhausting, exasperating, exciting, wild. It makes me laugh and cry, often at the same time. Some days it’s too much for my brain, heart, and body to handle and I want to take it all back. But I know I’d miss my kids too much and I’d miss being their mom. Their laugher, creativity, brilliance, hugs, love, and even their arguing gets me through even my hardest days, especially in quarantine. Despite how frustrated I get when I’ve been asked for a snack for the 523rd time in a single day, I enjoy being a momma.

Happy mother’s day to the moms of one and to moms of many, to moms who have lost children, to children who have lost their moms, to those with strained relationships, and to those who want to be a mom. Happy mother’s day to grandmas and aunties and extra and bonus moms, mama bears, fur moms, mamas, mimis, gigis, and nanas. You are strong, you are special, you are loved.