Is there anything greater than a mother’s love? I never understood her sadness when we said goodbye, until I had a child of my own.ย
I used to think she was crazy for crying every time she dropped me back at college after a long weekend home when I was a freshman. Then I transferred to Tennessee, 900 miles away, and when she cried a little harder at each goodbye, I still made fun of her (in a teasing way of course). I graduated and told her I was staying in the South. She said she expected it – but it still broke her heart.
A few years later, I got engaged and married the love of my life. Shortly after our wedding, we moved to Maryland. She was sad at the end of our visits and I mocked her sobs when we’d depart (teasing again).
When I moved back to the South she obviously drove with me, but I took that ride for granted. I was pregnant and thought it wasn’t a big deal that she took off work to help me.
Little did I know that those 12 hours she spent in the car with me were extremely painful. The further we got South, the more her heart hurt.
She flew down to Atlanta for the birth of my daughter in December. When it was time for her to go back to her life up north… Well, this time was different. I didn’t tease her about being dramatic. For the first time in my life, I cried with her. She came back down a few weeks later to visit and I cried a little harder when it was time to say goodbye. Now, three months later, I cried tears of joy when I picked her up at the airport and I know I will cry even harder when I drop her off.
What changed? What happened to the days when I’d jokingly say, “Don’t cry Mom! Absence makes the heart grow fonder!”
My daughter happened. I now know how my mother feels about me because I can’t stand being away from my little girl for even a few hours. This girl is my world and I would give anything to make her happy – I act like a fool daily just to see her smile. I love every second I spend with her, and sometimes I miss her when she falls asleep if she isn’t snuggled on my chest. So, I can now only imagine how my Mom must feel when she has to say goodbye to her daughter for 3 months – not just a couple of hours. I think I would be heartbroken if Annabelle laughed at me for loving her as much as I do…
From now on, I won’t make fun of my mom for getting so worked up at the end of our visits.
Instead, I’ll thank her for spending her free time with me.
My Mother is the only person on this Earth who will drop everything for me. She loves me unconditionally and I should never mock her for missing me. I’ll hug her a little tighter and try not to let her see me cry. I know my tears will only make it harder for her to say goodbye. We have to cherish the moments we spend together and make the best memories whenever we can.
What a great picture!!! I completely get this. I live in GA and my mother is in Las Vegas. I hate it and miss her everyday, miss all the moments she could be sharing with my girls. Now that I have my own children I cant imagine not seeing them everyday or hearing their voices….Its hard!
This is so true! You almost can’t even comprehend it until you have your own daughter. I feel the same way now!
It’s a lot to handle!
I never appreciated my mother as much until I became a Mom to Lily. Sometimes I also take her for granted too but at the end of the day I love her regardless ๐
YOU NAILED THIS. So beautiful, I love it. Being a mother and being a daughter are two of the best things you could possibly be. XO
This post is beautiful. I couldn’t agree more! I am lucky to be close to my mom but my heart still aches when we depart. Babies change everything!
Beautiful post. Made me a little weepy.
This is so true!!! I could never understand why my mom would cry so much when I’d leave, either… Now that I have a daughter too, I understand, and it makes me feel a little guilty that we live so far away!
I completely get what you mean. Since I had Emma, I constantly think about all my mom did for me over the years. I have a new and deeper love for her now. It’s amazing how motherhood can change you in so many ways.
Motherhood truly is life changing… my perspective on everything has changed.
What a sweet, sweet post. Thanks for sharing! I’m going to call my Mom now and tell her I love her… ๐
I’m glad you liked it! And I hope your Mom liked your phone call!
Sweet post and OH SO TRUE!!! There’s just something about ‘them mamas.’ Daddies are special, too. :)’ My mom is 2 1/2 hours away. They come and visit alot…but it’s still hard when we leave them or they leave us. Brandon and I just got over ‘the bug’…we were sooo sick. I wanted my husband but I also wanted my mama. She knows best for one….and she’s cleaned up after me after all these years being sick….it shouldn’t change when you get married and have kids, right?! lol ๐ Thank God we were blessed with loving, caring mothers.
Isn’t it the worst when you get so sick that all you want is your Mom?? I hate that she lives so far away from me because there have been a few times that I really needed her!
Hey, I’ve followed you on Instagram for the last few months (Melissa_Lea) and I’m finally following your blog now too! Loved this post. I feel the same way – I love and appreciate my parents more than ever now that I’m a mom!
I am so glad you found my blog – and you can relate to my post! I hope you keep reading =0)