Mother’s Day has a whole new meaning when you become a mother. For me, the meaning of Mother’s Day completely changed when I worked with my first family as their postpartum doula, who had just brought home their newborn twins. I had a glimpse of what life was like for my mother when she cared for my brother and me. Two mouths to feed, two diapers to change, two babies to soothe, and more. Never a dull moment. Mommas of multiples know what I mean. Then when I became a mother myself, it evolved even more. Ever since I have made sure that my mother knows EVERY Mother’s Day just how much I love her and appreciate everything she has done and continues to do for us as our mother.

I consider my mother one of my best friends.

I know how lucky I am to have such a wonderful woman and heroine in my life. Also, I do recognize that not everyone has this blessing. This is why Mother’s Day can sometimes bring out many different emotions in people. Some women have lost their mothers, women who have absent mothers, women who are desperately trying or have tried to have a baby and become a mother themselves, and women who are single mothers having to be a mother and father to their children. The list goes on. We all know women like this or are those very women ourselves.

So this year and every year, let me suggest something. On Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate our mothers, the mothers of the world, and the women in our lives who have helped us become the women WE are today.

These women are everywhere.

Maybe they are your favorite teacher, your aunt, your grandmother, your stepmother, your neighbor, or a friend. We all have “mothered” someone and have shown them love and support in their time of need. So, let’s thank and celebrate those women in our lives too. To me, these women are not only my mother, they are my Aunt Barbara and my dear friends who, for years, have given me unwavering love and support. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.

So again, on Mother’s Day, I want us to celebrate not just mothers of the world but the women who helped you become the strong and beautiful woman you are.

Who are the women that helped you become the woman you are? Please give them a shout-out and share who they are in the comments. 🙂