Recently, someone inquired about my wishes for Mother’s Day, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Seriously? Is my little one going to rush out to buy a gift or whip up some crafts? Not likely. I treated myself to a Mother’s Day gift weeks ago, and if I could wish for anything right now, it would simply be a day to sleep in—until noon, if only!
This weekend marks my inaugural Mother’s Day. It’s my first one with a tiny baby in my arms and my first as a single mom. Previously, I’ve seen four Mother’s Days go by as an unofficial mom—three during or after my unsuccessful pregnancies, and last year when I was pregnant but hadn’t shared the news yet. But this year, after those four, I finally get to be part of the celebration.
The day won’t be extravagant; we’ll just have a BBQ at my mom’s house. I won’t be able to sleep in or enjoy a break from chores. There won’t be flowers or breakfast in bed. After all, it’s just my daughter and me.
However, I get to wake up and lift my baby out of her crib. I can plant a kiss on her neck, which she adores. I’ll cuddle her as she enjoys her morning bottle and watches Mickey Mouse. I can lay her on the couch and cherish the moment when she strokes my face—it’s a new gesture that melts my heart. I’ll dress her in cute clothes, picking out adorable bows and shoes, before loading her into her car seat for our trip to my mom’s, where we’ll celebrate my very first official Mother’s Day.
I’ll soak in the compliments about her beauty throughout the day. I’ll pace around my mom’s spare bedroom, trying to get her to nap, only for her to wake up just 15 minutes later. But I’ll treasure the delighted smile she’ll have when she sees me, proud of her little accomplishment. I’ll be right there, cheering her on as she learns to roll over and watches her chew on her teething rings.
At the end of the day, I’ll take her home, attempting to feed her solid foods and giggling at her silly faces. I’ll run her a warm bath and watch her play with the washcloth as I lather her with baby lotion. I’ll find her the softest pajamas, snuggling with her in my lap. We’ll share a nighttime bottle while enjoying more Mickey Mouse, and I’ll bounce her in the living room, trying to soothe her to sleep.
When she wakes up after I finally lay her down, I’ll go through the whole process again. I’ll turn on the baby monitor and listen to her gentle breathing while she sleeps. I’ll wash her bottles and prepare them for the next day, ensuring her clothes are freshly cleaned and comfy. As I settle into bed, knowing my baby is peacefully sleeping in the next room, I can’t help but reflect on how I get to experience all of this—every single day, not just on Mother’s Day.
This is what I have longed for. I feel fulfilled, as if I’ve discovered my true purpose. There are moments when my heart feels so full that I can hardly contain it. On Mother’s Day, I’ll always remember her birth, her first cry, and the joy of holding her close. I am incredibly thankful, blessed, and completely in love. How could it possibly get any better than this?
Happy Mother’s Day to me, and to all the mothers out there—the new moms, the experienced ones, the pregnant women, and the adoptive mothers. To those who have faced loss, the aunts, grandmothers, sisters, and anyone who loves deeply. Happy Mother’s Day!
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In summary, my first Mother’s Day as a single mom is a heartfelt celebration filled with simple yet precious moments. Each experience with my daughter reinforces my love and the joy of motherhood.