Happy Mother's Day to all the Perfectly Imperfect Moms

Photo: Silvana Marshall Photography

I'm not a perfect mom. I don't think that person exists.

I bend the rules even when I make them.

I yell when I say not to.

I snack when I encourage healthy eating.

But I love hard.

I love the snuggles and the cuddles, and the hand-written notes;

Playing dress-up and makeup and watching the girls play "mommy".

I love the questions (honestly) and the discovery and excitement for new toys.

I don't always love bathtime or storytime or bedtime.

I'm honest and truthful and tell them like it is. 

Sometimes I put myself first, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. 

But there's nothing I wouldn't do for my babies. 

Some may call it balance. I call it perfectly imperfect.

To all the perfectly imperfect moms out there doing their absolute best to make sense of this time and this role. The jugglers, the nurturers, the teachers, the bakers, the athletics, the doctors -- I see you.

To the grandmas and stepmoms and Godmothers;

To the moms-to-be, the pseudo moms, the ones trying;

To the moms who are mourning the loss of their own mom, their child, their unborn baby;

We think of you.

To my mom who I credit for not only raising two daughters (with my dad, of course) and is now a Nonna to 4: for showing how us you can laugh hard, work hard, yell hard and love hard -- and that makes you perfect to me.

Happy Mother's Day.