Memory Lane

As I was reading a blog written by another mom who is an amazing writer, I started thinking back on who I was before April 23, 2008. I was a cheerleader who thought our last football game was the most devastating event in the world. I was a college girl with not a care in the world who stayed up all hours of the night running the roads of Ada singing at the top of my lungs. I was the president of my sorority who had to solve very important matters of the sisterhood. I was a newlywed who went on spur of the moment dates and vacations with my husband. Now I ask myself, "Was that really me?"

The night before I had Gracie I told Chris that we should go out for one last night as non-parents. He said, "What do you do with a woman who is nine months pregnant. I think we already are parents." Can you imagine a mom-to-be out on the town like a bride-to-be. One last night of freedom out like a young bachelorette. It makes me laugh just thinking about waddling around about to pop trying to hold onto to my youth with all I've got inside of me.

Now I feel like someone new. I am someone who can sit for hours memorized by the face of a newborn baby. I am a mommy who jumps up at even a slight whimper and whose stomach aches when I am away from her. I get up at all hours of the night to feed, rock, and change this precious baby. I read her books and talk in silly voices. I pray that she she grows strong and loves others with a servant's heart. I sit and think every minute that these are the best days of my life.

I was made to be Gracie's mommy, but that carefree girl is still very much there inside of me. One day when Gracie is old enough to ride down the road and sing at the top of her lungs...I will teach her all about what it means to be young. I will tell her stories that she won't believe about her mommy. I will tell her stories about her daddy sweeping me off my feet. I will show her the world.