June 21, 2024, my sweet Sierra Lou made me a mother. The past nine months have truly been the happiest days of my life. I feel joy, I feel empowered, and I feel immensely blessed, all with a side of complete exhaustion. Sometimes, it’s like I’m in a fighting ring getting thrown around, but somehow, I keep coming out as a champion with my hands up and a smile on my face.
I remember years ago when my father tried encouraging me to be a stay-at-home mom once that time came.
It was Christmas, and I officially completed my MBA and accepted a position at Allen & Company. Jeremy had plans to propose in two months, and everyone knew it but me. The question hit me like a ton of bricks. “Ya know, it worked out great for me and your mother,” he stated. I was perplexed. I just spent the last five and a half years in college classrooms, hustling to meet deadlines and staying later than I liked in libraries. My father was asking if I’d throw it all away to be a homemaker.
I envisioned this being the easy route, like someone auditioning for a starring role, winding up backstage, and pulling the curtains.
After experiencing several weeks of maternity leave, I am now requesting permission to rescind that assumption. Please and thank you.
Sure, the physical activity involves weighing, caring for a baby, and keeping up with dishes and laundry while asking myself how people do this with multiple kids. For me, the emotional struggle was the heaviest. The feeling that I wasn’t doing enough or she wasn’t happy enough. Of course, after returning to work that feeling stayed the same while being away from her.
What I’ve learned is that whether I choose to care for my family by being home or by working, I am greatly contributing to this world, but it comes with some pretty demanding emotions.
Let this be a reminder to appreciate and support the women in your life. And if you are a mother, please give yourself some grace every now and then. The world may see you in a pantsuit or leggings and a t-shirt. I see you with a superhero cape and a resilient heart.
April 2025
