As a child I went to an Episcopalian grade school.
After high school I attended a Catholic University.
I wasn't baptized until I was ten, because my parents felt religion is a personal choice and didn't want to sway my decision.
As a wedding photographer I have attended a number of different religious ceremonies and have mixed emotions about all of them.
But I don't like to discriminate. Life is too hard as it is. If people have certain beliefs, that's their right. Who am I to judge?
One thing I do know?
When the sounds of life become muted, as I rock my baby girl to sleep and her fat little cheek rests on my shoulder, and her breathing starts to get heavy, I KNOW there is some sort of a Higher Power.
I know this tiny little creation that has brought such immense joy and new found love into my life can't possibly be happenstance.
Her presence has made me look at life and the world through different eyes.
I now look through the eyes, of a mother.
And I get it now.
I get why my grandmother was so over protective when I was going on a trip.
I understand why my mom will drop almost anything to go on a spontaneous walk with me.
There is NOTHING like it. That deep in your soul, feel like you're gonna burst at the seams with love feeling only a mother knows.
I finally get it now.
Delaney is now 10 months old.
She said her first word: "Dada".
She loves mangoes and despises avacadoes.
She does the army crawl across our living room.
She has a horrible temper and yet the most infectious smile I've ever seen.
Women constantly tell me to enjoy every minute of this time with my daughter because it goes by at lightning speed.
Oh I so am- savoring every single second of it.
I wish a very Happy Mama's Day to all the woman who have the hardest, yet most rewarding job I can imagine.
and ten months later...
