Mama mia

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day and, I have to say, it was awesome. It was a glorious day. I've got a big bouquet of roses and some chocolates sitting on the dining room table ("I took the nutritional information off the back so you can't see how bad these are for you," said Chad) and we spent the day going out for a leisurely lunch, taking a stroll around the neighborhood, and hanging out in the front yard until Jackson's bedtime. I even took a two-hour nap. Amazing.

Leading up to Mother's Day, I got very nostalgic thinking about all of the amazing moms in my life that I've been fortunate enough to know. There's my mom, of course. And my grandmothers. And my mother-in-law, and Chad's grandmothers. And my aunts. All of them are incredible women who have taught me little things here and there about how to raise good children and what's required in this motherhood gig. We all have our own style, I suppose, but I've taken pieces from each of them.

There are other moms as well. I never really understood before, but moms stick together. So many of my friends - and even some of my acquaintances who have become friends - have reached out with advice, thoughts, stories, and hang-in-there anecdotes. It's been one of the most surprising parts of this journey: the new bonds I've made along the way.

Fortunately, for us, parenthood is getting a lot easier and more fun. (I know, I know...soon it will get harder again, but we're enjoying this time right now!) And with several friends and neighbors soon set to join the "mommy" ranks, I'm already thinking of ways to pay it forward.

Until then, I'm remembering a great Mother's Day. And thinking of ways to make Father's Day this much fun.