A Love So Big

 

Today I'm linking up with Becky from From Mrs. to Mama to write, just for the sake of writing. To connect. Connect with other bloggers, other moms, other women. When I was trying to think of what I should write about the answer came to me pretty quickly... 

These two. Of course it was the first thing that popped into my head to write about, they're always the first thing that comes to my mind no matter what I'm thinking. 

I'm the same age as so many of the moms from different blogs I read but their kids are mostly younger... babies, toddlers, little ones. I was a mom at 22 so I now have an 11 and an 8 year old. So this parenting thing? I've been doing it longer than lots of you whose blogs I read. Does that make me more of an expert than you? No, of course not. But one thing I do know more about than you? Love. Let me explain what they don't tell you in the parenting books, magazines, and blogs... 

You never truly know what love is until you have a child, you already know that, everyone tells you that because it's true. It's immense and overwhelming and impossible to put into words until you're a parent. But that love? As big as it is? It grows. You think it's impossible to love your kids any more than you already do, but somehow every day, every month, every year, you do. You love them when they're born and when they turn from a baby to a toddler you think your heart may burst because you love them even more. And then they're 5 and getting on the school bus for the first time and the only emotion that outweighs the fear and heartache is love. Then they're 8 and they start to gain a little independence, they don't need you as much anymore. They rely on themselves for things and on their friends for other things... they're growing up. They play sports and you watch them out on the field, your baby that's not a baby anymore, and you're so proud, so full of love. More love than you had 5 years ago, more love than you had last month, more love than you had yesteryday. They get good grades, work hard on school projects, perform in plays and concerts, and you appreciate all of the experiences because you love them and are thankful to have these moments as a part of their childhood.

There's another love that comes out of nowhere, a love that you never even expect when you become a parent. A love that no one prepares you for. Your kids go to school, they grow up, they make friends. Those friends become a part of their life, a pretty big part, and you fall madly in love all over again. In love with those friends. They're good kids, just like your kid, and you love them too. Those friends get sick or hurt and you worry, because that's what moms do. They work hard and get good grades and you're proud, because that's what moms do. They have a big hit in a big game and you cheer just as loud for them as you do for your own child, because that's what moms do. They're an extension of your kid, and even though you only gave birth to 1 or 2 kids, you love so many more than that. More than anything else since I've become a mom, this has been my biggest surprise. A good surprise, probably the best surprise of all, because not only does your love for your own child grow year after year, your love spreads to friend after friend.

So there you have it moms, especially you moms of the littles. Your heart is so full right now, but the amazing news is that your heart is going to continue to grow every single day. You'll continue to love more than you ever knew possible, more than you do today. The amazing thing about our babies is that they start out so small, as these tiny little beings, yet they teach us about a love that's bigger than anything we could ever imagine.