Her First Mother's Day

Brittany turned to me as we left the restaurant today and said, “Besides my birthday, Mother’s Day is my new favorite holiday.”

I couldn’t agree more.

We have so enjoyed today, but about an hour ago we sat on our back patio and reminisced about how much our lives have changed.

We’ve been pretty open about the struggle we faced trying to get pregnant, and as we look back on that challenging time we can’t help but give thanks for the significance of today. In the past month, my love for Brittany has grown so much as I’ve watched her take on this new role as “Mom.” From waking up at 3am to feed or change Willow, to keeping the house in order as we welcome others into our home to meet and spend time with our little girl, Brittany has been nothing short of amazing.

Have there been challenges and frustrations? Plenty. But both Brittany and I know just how blessed we are to have Willow and we remind each other about how the pregnancy and life with an infant would be different if the clock was turned back a couple of years. Simply put, we weren’t ready and God in his perfect timing knew it. Even though that was a hard season for us, our Creator knew exactly what was best for us and for that we are thankful.

And speaking of being thankful, we were fortunate enough to enjoy this Mother’s Day with my Mom and Dad, who drove several hours from their home in Toledo, Ohio to be with us this weekend and watch Willow as we filmed our first wedding since her arrival last month. Brittany was nervous all week about the thought of leaving Willow for 8+ hours, but when Saturday rolled around both mother and daughter did GREAT!

We woke up to the most perfect Sunday morning and started it off by taking Willow to her first church service at Southland! Let’s just say I cried like a baby as I held her and listened to the worship music. We left church and headed to one of our favorite brunch restaurants, Wild Eggs, before Mom and Dad hit the road back to Toledo. What a treasure it was to be able to spend some time with two amazing Moms on this Mother’s Day!

My child, obey your father’s godly instruction and follow your mother’s life-giving teaching. Fill your heart with their advice and let your life be shaped by what they’ve taught you. Their wisdom will guide you wherever you go and keep you from bringing harm to yourself. Their instruction will whisper to you at every sunrise and direct you through a brand new day.
– Proverbs 6:20-22

Here are a few photos from our own little “newborn session”
with Willow when she was two weeks old.