When she came to this hospital, she was a part of you.

I try not to share too much of my personal life here; my stories are about you.

In honor of mother’s day, though, I’d like to share something.

When our children were born, my husband and I were not husband and wife yet. This doesn’t matter, at any time. That’s not what this post is about.

The cards on our children’s bassinets read “Baby” and then my maiden name. We gave them my husband’s (and now my) last name, but when I asked a nurse about the paperwork for our first child, she said, “Well, when she came to this hospital, she was a part of you, so she by default is labeled with your last name.” For months afterward, I cried when I thought about this blurry moment. I still get teary when I think about it. Cue the perfect, mushy soundtrack song here (suggestions welcome). I remember writing in a journal soon after we had her, that she was always going to be a part of me. What a journey, motherhood is.

And for the record, if a woman is pregnant on mother’s day, I do count that as her first.

Hospital photos are some of my favorites. If you just had your baby, and you’ve happened upon this post in your hospital bed, after nursing, please contact me to book an in-hospital session. I may just be available tomorrow.