I don’t know how she did it.

My mom got married young, had seven kids (6 daughters!), and she is in one piece.

I don’t know how she did it.

Yesterday was her birthday and I threw a Great Gatsby-themed party for her at my house. My mom, my dad, and two of my older sisters all made the drive to North Carolina and we had the best time. We all dressed up, Matthew made THE most delicious pulled pork outside of Smithfield’s, and Ella almost knew all the words to the happy birthday song.

But my favorite part of the day was before the party began. In the afternoon, when it was just me, my sisters, and my mom sitting outside, discussing what we want for the future of our family. How strongly we all feel in the power and potential of each member, how much we want to succeed in our goals and do the most with what our parents gave us. I have a lot of goals and dreams for myself, even though my greatest dream of becoming a mother has already come true. And my sisters want to help me. More than even that, they believe in me. I didn’t know how much, until it was just us sitting on the brick patio, drawing swirls with Ella’s sidewalk chalk, sharing our dreams with each other. Supporting each other.

We have this strength, this unbreakable attachment and we have one woman to thank for that. Our mother.

I don’t know how she did it. But I’m so, so thankful that she did.

Happy Sunday, everybody.