Declan and I met my very dear friend Molly, and her son, Carter a few days ago for lunch.  Molly has been one of my longest friends.  In fact our parent’s still live on the same street where we grew up together.  We had a great time catching up and getting the boys together, and as I drove away from our lunch, it got me thinking.  Molly, who I used to stand with at the bus stop in first grade; who I would make up dance routines and jump on the trampoline with in junior high; who I would hang out with at the local coffee shop during 7th hour in high-school (when we were supposed to be in class); who I roomed with our freshman year of college; and who stood next to me as my Maid of Honor on my wedding day. This same Molly and I have now evolved into the next stage in our lives together – the role of motherhood. 

I know, I know - it’s not as if I never came to this conclusion until today.  But it was rewarding to look back on all of our transitions and to reflect on how far we have come from the days of  lemonade stands or the nights of Ghosts in the Graveyard.  Here we are  – mothers.  

It got me thinking, and although I have been a parent now for nearly two years, it is still wierd to take a step back to comprehend that I am now just that...a mother.  I don’t think I take enough time to reflect on how proud I am of myself and all of my friends who have become mothers because it’s a big job.  A job that tests our patience more then anything else in our life does.  It’s a job that challenges us every single day. It’s also a job that provides a new perspective on everything we ever knew before having a child.  And lastly, it’s a job that we dedicate to our children to love,  support, provide for, and teach to forever.  But, you know the best part? We chose this job, and we all stepped up to the challenge.  And in return, we are lucky because we have the best job in the world.

So, all you friends and mothers…I know we all relate in that our job isnt always easy.  Sometimes we want to pull our hair out or drink an extremely large glass of wine in the middle of the day.  Yet, I think any parent can relate and would say it’s all worth it.  It’s important for us mothers to take pride in what we do everyday.  And although we all have our own struggles, challenges, and processes, I do know that one day, even if many many years from now…our kids will too, appreciate the job we do.