This coming week, my first baby turns 10 years old. It’s a big year for her. But it’s also a big year for me. See, our children’s birthdays aren’t only for their birth day celebrations. Their birth day is also a celebration of us as their mothers. This upcoming birthday, marks 10 years of being a mother. It was 10 years ago that I went from having no kids at all to having a life changing experience of getting to be a mother to a baby.

And today I found myself reflecting on that. My little girl began such a significant journey in my life that continues today and will continue for the rest of my life. She was the beginning of making me not just a mother, but a stronger woman and a more confident individual. My little girl was the beginning of what has turned out to be the creation of a natural parenting community and boutique called Granola Babies. She’s the first of my granola babies that taught me everything that I know today.

Being her mother has been such a joy to me. I enjoyed her as a baby and enjoy her today as a young lady. As my only girl, I get to relate to her as a girl and nurture that special relationship between a girl and her mother. As a mother, I get to also be a part of a community of women around the world that without her, I would not get to. Her birth was truly life changing.

I’ve come a long way from that day as a first time mother. In some ways I was a better mother then that I am today and in so many more ways I’m a better mother now through the experience the years have brought.  Without her, I would not be who I am today.

It’s a big week coming up. A big week for her and for me too. I’ll celebrate her birthday with her starting tomorrow and through the week. And inside, I will celebrate what her birth brought to my life. Happy birth day to the both of us and many more years to come.