I’ve never been the type to shed tears at movies or get emotional over heartwarming commercials. Yet since becoming a mom, I find myself a teary-eyed, sentimental mess over the tiniest of moments.
Just earlier today, I was out for a jog when I encountered a construction zone. Out of the corner of my eye, a bright yellow bulldozer caught my attention. Instinctively, I reached for my phone to capture the moment for my little one, only to realize that my toddler’s fascination with trucks has faded months ago. Just like that, the enchanting phase where every vehicle was a grand event has slipped away. As I ran past that bulldozer, tears welled up in my eyes.
Upon returning home, I received an email from the department of education about pre-K registration. I’ve been on their list since my eldest started school, and every year, I get a reminder about registration for kids born in a specific year. But today, the subject line read my youngest’s birth year: 2017. How is it even possible that my baby is ready for school? Cue the waterworks—yes, I cried over an automated email.
Here are a few more seemingly random things that bring tears to my eyes:
- I tear up when my kids discover little bugs on the sidewalk and ask me to carry them home.
- I feel a lump in my throat when they stop using their adorable baby words. I adored how my youngest pronounced “lemonade” as “lemalade” and my oldest said “yogurt” as “yo-yurt.” Why can’t they keep talking like that forever?
- Birthday parties get me every time. Whether it’s my kid’s or not, watching a child blow out their candles is enough to make me weepy.
- School performances are a rollercoaster of pride and embarrassment. I never anticipated feeling so emotional watching my child dressed as a turkey, awkwardly moving around on stage.
- Old photos can be overwhelming. Sometimes I avoid looking at my Timehop app because seeing how my kids have changed—even in blurry snapshots—stirs up a whirlwind of feelings. Just last year, they looked so different, and I wish they could stay little forever.
- Certain smells can trigger memories of their babyhood. I was recently in the grocery store when I caught a whiff of a diaper cream that reminded me of my newborn days—talk about an emotional overload!
- I even cry over milestones, even those I eagerly awaited, like tossing away the last diaper or when they first slept through the night.
- The first snowfall or watching autumn leaves dance to the ground evokes a sense of wonder that hits me right in the feels.
When I first held my crying newborn, I never imagined the little moments would affect me so deeply—and they keep coming, no matter how old my kids get or how seasoned I become as a parent. Sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me, but then I remind myself that I’m just a mom, and these kids are my world.
So, I’m embracing all these emotions and allowing myself to cry over the silliest things. As my children grow, I know I’ll likely embarrass them with my sentimentality, but that’s just part of the journey. If they want me to tone it down, they’ll have to stop growing up—now wouldn’t that be nice? For more insights on parenting and related topics, check out this blog post.
In conclusion, motherhood has transformed me into a sentimental softie, cherishing every fleeting moment with my children. From the tiniest discoveries to major milestones, each experience holds a special place in my heart.