A Mother's Love

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be a mother. Watching how my grandmothers still nurtured their grown kids while I was growing up was so beautiful to witness! My granny used to prepare her kids’ favorite foods when they would visit from out of town, and she would also do extra cleaning and shopping to make sure that they had everything they desired when they came to visit. I’m now witnessing my mom do the exact same thing when my family and I come to visit her and my dad. Honestly, it’s refreshing to watch my mom walk in the same footsteps as her mother. In the day’s leading up to any visit to my parents house, I always get a call from my mom, and she’ll ask, “What do y’all want to eat this weekend? And what do I need to get for my baby, Raelynn?” You see, my mom is an over planner, and I know that that’s where I get my planning sense from. When we arrive for a weekend visit, she usually has an assortment of our favorite foods and drinks. Even before I got married and started a family, my mom has always been like this. In college, I would come home on breaks with just a suitcase with clothes, but I would return to school with a car full of groceries, school supplies, appliances, new clothes, and baked goods to bribe my roommates to help me bring in all of the stuff that I brought back!

Photography: K. Marie | My dress: Ross | Raelynn's Jumpsuit: Target

Now as a mother, I see what it feels like to be selfless and do as much as you can for your child. My mom never let me go lacking. Call that being spoiled all you want, but she always put me first. If there was something that I needed rather it be for school or leisure, she and my dad made sure I had it. This is how I inspire to raise my daughter. People always asked me if I was bored growing up as an only child, and my answer has always been no. My mom was my best friend growing up, and she never made me feel like I needed a sibling to play with. She was always there playing with Barbie dolls and jumping on the trampoline with me. When my friends would come over with their siblings when I was younger, I would enjoy the company for a while, but it was nothing like being by myself and just enjoying the company of being around my mom. I inspire to have this kind of relationship with my daughter too. I want her to be able to come to me for anything, and I hope to provide her with the tools that she needs to navigate through life.

Even though I’m almost nine months in with being a mommy, it still amazes me that I have my own child. With this being my first Mother’s Day, I’m so excited to share this day with my little family. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommies out and to all of the 2020 and 2021 mothers who have given or are giving birth during a pandemic and especially my mom and grandma! You are the real MVPs!

XO,

Maranda