Dear Mommy Friends,
You come from all areas of my life and together you make up my community. A community in which I’ll be forever grateful. I’m a better mom for your friendships. And through you, my kids get a better me, my husband gets a better me and I get a better me.
To the friend who knew me before we were mommies, before we were wives even, our friendship runs deep. It’s real and raw and a sisterhood. Our friendship is one I truly cherish – the kind where I can show up as I am, who I am. My kids can, too. I show up to the library with my daughter wearing only her swimming suit and pink cowboy boots on a chilly morning and without a word from me, I know you’ll smile and appreciate my struggle.
To the mama friend I found at that Mommy & Me yoga class, in which I showed up with the spillover contents of a dirty diaper and you didn’t judge me. You might have even laughed with me. We found an easy start to our friendship, through our first babies. And now that we have second babies, they’re friends, too. Because it just fits. It’s easy and encouraging and loving. A place I want to be.
To the mama I met at the library, we only had a short conversation, but you showed me kindness on a day I was feeling the loneliness of SAHM life weighing heavily on me. You reminded me there are mommy friends out there to be found, developed, and cherished. Thank you.
To the mama friend who has babies younger than mine. You remind me how hard the transition into motherhood was for me and offer me a chance to share with you that I wish I’d believed more in myself — You’re doing great! You really are. Even if you think you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re still a wonderful mom. I know this because I see you. I see you worrying. I see you attending to every little need of your baby. I see you endlessly loving your sweet baby. You’re already an awesome mom. Even if you don’t know it yet.
To the (dada) friend who lives in my neighborhood. A friendship begun conveniently due to proximity of where our families lay our heads at night. You see my house messy. Really messy. And while I may be slightly embarrassed, you smile at my floors littered with toys, crayons, and stickers permanently stuck to the windows and walls because you’re further down the road in this journey and fondly remember ‘those days’ of daily toddler activity.
To the mama friend whom I wish I could be. I see you at MOPS. I envy the way you carry yourself seemingly effortlessly in this life as mom. You seem joyful, having endless patience, and at ease in mothering. I long to channel your inner Zen. You encourage me to take a deep breath. To give my kids just a little more space. And to not feel guilty as I enjoy my hot cup of coffee and adult conversation.
To the mama friend who loves my children as I do. Who delights in their stories, make-believe play, and treasures they share with you. You see my kids in the way I do. Your patience and sweetness with them helps me to relax in knowing that it’s okay for a 3-year-old to act like a 3-year-old.
And to the mama friend I haven’t yet met, I am thankful for you. Because I know you’ll teach me something I’ll appreciate learning. You’ll encourage me in a way I need when our paths do eventually cross. I’ll get a chance to be vulnerable and real and open as I embrace the opportunity for new friendship.
To all my mommy friends, I thank you for your friendship, your support, laughter, and your encouragement. I am so very deeply thankful for you.
Cheers to you, dear friends, cheers!
Kelly, I absolutely loved this. It resonated so very deeply with me. Mommy friends are so important. They keep us sane. They keep us thinking. They keep us on our toes almost as much as our children do….almost. 🙂
I am glad it resonated with you Keri! Obviously our mamas were a good example to us of the importance of mama friendships. I am deeply thankful for that & them.
Thank you Leah! I agree that our kiddos can often top the list when we are counting our blessings. I love that you’re going to reflect on your friendships. I obviously did this too. It was triggered when a dear friend returned to working full time and I suddenly don’t get to see her nearly as often as I did before.
This is so sweet, Kelly! Sometimes I need reminders that there are other important people in my life besides my children. I’m going to spend time tonight thinking about each of my friends that has joined me on this motherhood journey and what I appreciate about their friendship.