Dear Me, Happy Mother's Day

I was inspired by this video to write a letter to my younger self. Here's my letter.

Dear Me, 

You can't prepare for this, so stop trying.  In the moments the strength will come. A combination of maternal instinct and God's stillness.  You will do things you thought you couldn't.  You'll place feeding tubes, preform sterile dressing changes.  You will become his perfect nurse. His advocate. 

Your firsts will be different.  You will have to wait.  Wait to see his face, to hear him cry, to hold him in your arms, to nurse him, to take him home.  Be patient.  Your firsts will come. They will be special.  Even though they are different than what you planned.  Cherish them for what they are. Don't compare.

You will cry.  And then you will stop.  And some days you won't cry at all.

Right now you are a NICU mom.  Be proud.  Soon you will be a mommy.  But, you will always feel a little different than other moms.  That's okay.  You're not alone.

This will change you.  It will make you better.  You will be a better wife, mom, Christian, person because of the time here. 

You will be happy.  Your baby will be happy.  Your little family will be perfect.

Congratulations, you're a mom!

Sincerely, 

You

Happy Mother's Day!  This is my story.  We all have one to tell.  Write your letter to your younger self.