I’m sitting here on the couch. Laptop propped up on a pillow. Blanket rolled up to support my lower back. The cup that contained my second coffee is sitting empty next to me and I feel full.

It’s Mother’s Day. We don’t have big plans and that’s actually quite lovely. Despite being tempted to continue on my flow of work that the coaching program I’m in has awakened, I just want to take a moment to reflect while Alicia enjoys her second nap of the day. 

To reflect and acknowledge this day and to celebrate who I am as a mother. 

I believe that Mother’s Day is for all women and not just for those who have birthed children or who raise children birthed by others. Being a mother is a state we can create from within and choose to express in a variety of ways. 

This Mother’s Day I am celebrating the expression of mother that I has carried and birthed a child. Yes it feels different than before yet I couldn’t celebrate it without having first experienced the other versions of mother in me, in all of us. 

With that, I want to take a moment to celebrate being the mother to my beautiful baby girl who will celebrate her 1st birthday in exactly one week.

I’m proud. 

I’m proud of how I have showed up every single day and night to care for you. 

I’m proud of my commitment and tenacity. Of how I showed up even when I was tired, sore, emotional, overwhelmed, sad, frustrated, confused, and then some. I’m proud that I showed up no matter what or how I was feeling because of my unwavering love for you. 

I’m proud to have discovered another layer of strength and resilience thanks to being your mother. 

I cherish every single moment watching you grow.

I love when you fall asleep on my chest and make me smile when you wake up. 

I am grateful to have prepared for this role in intentional, beautiful, and often mysterious ways.

I acknowledge myself for all that I do with ease, grace, and love.

I forgive myself for the mistakes I made (and will continue to make every single day!)

I celebrate all that I have learned and will continue to learn thanks to you.

I’m grateful to have invested in my development in order for a coach to show me that I could start living my dream of becoming a mother now. To have put myself in an uncomfortable place in order to be heard and cracked open to a new possibility and paradigm shift that now inspires my mission on this planet. 

I’m grateful to all of those people who told me “not to worry about it” as they have showed me how important it is to stand proud and tall in your conviction and to listen to your heart first and most. 

I embrace the long journey and detours that eventually led me to you. 

I forgive the occasional thoughts of wishing it hadn’t taken so long because I wouldn’t have it any other way now. 

I honour my body for it’s magnificent ways. For conceiving and guiding me through a gracious pregnancy—morning sickness and all—I love my body for the incredible process of creating you and me, of birthing you and a new me, of transforming continuously in order for my soul to flow through me. I love my body for doing the best that it can to keep me aligned (and for the countless squats it allows me to do as I pick up your toys, bend over to pick you up, and produce the perfect elixir for you to grow)

I love the challenges I faced before you that gave me strength. The ones we faced together head on the past year. And the ones I face now. I am continuously growing and despite often thinking that I might not be able to hold the space for what I am called to, you remind me day after day that I can and that I am not only good enough, but more capable than ever!

I admire my devotion and love for you. It is never ending and ever expanding. 

I celebrate the drive you awaken in me that has inspired me to leap! To build my life and business on my terms while you sleep or play at my feet. 

I’m proud of pushing through when I need to and of resting when it’s time to. 

I declare that what’s to come is even more beautiful than I can imagine.

I promise to continuously do my best to become the truest expression of myself as a woman, mother, partner, creator, and Earthling. 

I am in awe of my mother for how much she poured herself in my sister, brother, and I. 

I love seeing the best parts of her expressed through me. 

I hope to inspire and create space for you to live your deepest calling and truest expression. 

I promise to support and celebrate you. 

I thank all mothers before me and those who will come after me for your wisdom and inspiration. I love you all so much more than I can express. 

With love,

Melissa