Before I became a mom, I thought I understood love.
I loved my family. I loved my husband. I loved my friends. I loved my career and everything I was building.
Then I had Enzo.
Suddenly I realized there was a kind of love I had never experienced before. Now, with Enzo at 10 and my twins almost 9, that feeling hasn’t faded. If anything, it has only grown stronger. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t look at my kids and feel overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to be their mama.
Motherhood has stretched my heart in ways I never knew were possible. It has also challenged me in ways I never expected. There are days filled with laughter and days filled with chaos. Then there are days where I wonder if I’m doing enough. Like so many working moms, I know the feeling of leaving for work wishing I had more time with my kids and then being home with my kids while thinking about everything waiting for me at work. The mom guilt is real. I don’t think it ever completely goes away.
But one thing motherhood has taught me is that perfection was never the goal. What matters most is showing up with love.
I want my children to know they are deeply loved. I want them to see me work hard, care for others, prioritize my marriage, and make time to take care of myself too. I hope they grow up knowing that you can chase your dreams while still showing up for the people you love most.
My children have become my greatest motivation. Every decision I make, every obstacle I overcome, every goal I pursue is rooted in creating a life they can be proud of and one they know is possible for themselves.
They’ve also taught me to slow down and to appreciate the little moments that are so easy to overlook. The hugs and before school drop off. The bedtime conversations. The family dinners. The vacations. The silly inside jokes. The moments that don’t seem extraordinary until one day you realize they’re the memories you’ll treasure forever.
Motherhood isn’t easy, and I don’t think it’s supposed to be. It’s messy, emotional, exhausting, beautiful, yet incredibly rewarding all at the same time.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last ten years, it’s this: our kids don’t need a perfect mom. They need a present one. They need someone who loves them unconditionally, believes in them, and keeps showing up every single day.
To every mom reading this, whether you’re in the newborn stage, chasing toddlers, raising teenagers, or somewhere in between, I hope you give yourself a little more grace today. You are carrying so much and I promise you’re doing better than you think!
Being a mom will always be the greatest blessing and privilege of my life. It’s a love I never knew existed until I experienced it myself. It’s a gift I’ll never stop being grateful for.
XO,
Racquel
