I am the mother to three wild beauties, ages 6, 4, and 2. I also lost a baby at 26 weeks pregnant. I am grateful that throughout my pregnancies, I had supportive medical teams and the right to make choices about my body and my family. 

I became a mother the moment I gave birth to my oldest, but it wasn’t until about 8 months ago that I entered fully into motherhood. I spent 6 years straight either pregnant or breastfeeding- certainly I was mothering my children during that time. But part of me was so focused on the finish line. I kept telling myself when my youngest was 15 months, we would end our breastfeeding journey and things would settle. No more babies and no more breastfeeding.

As I neared the end of my final breastfeeding journey things within me quieted a bit and I had the space to evaluate what the last six years meant. Two things became apparent to me: first, without a doubt I was 100 percent a mom. Motherhood had arrived, and I was walking through the world both stronger and gentler than before.  Secondly, I realized, wow, that was really hard!

I have never liked running, nor have I run much in my life, but all I could think was that I just completed a 6 year marathon. In an effort to give that feeling meaning, I decided I better run an actual marathon So, I am training for the New York City Marathon in November running with team EMC. I am running as a way to celebrate the last six years that brought me into motherhood. I am also running because the privilege of quality maternal care, and the choices I had over my body should be extended to all women. I am certain I will need all the cheers I can get! I also suspect that this isn’t my last story of arrival. My gut tells me that motherhood is a series of arrivals and I am looking forward to what is ahead.