As a young adult, I spend a lot of my time reflecting on my life thus far and thinking about my future. With every new stage in my life, I am hit with realizations of how much my mother did for me and my two brothers. Luckily for me, Mother's Day is coming up, which is the perfect opportunity to lift up the mother figures in our lives, and shower them with love and appreciation
I thought it would only be fitting for some of our Pink & Navy moms to share stories and advice about their experiences with motherhood.
Tell me a bit about your journey as a mom
Amy Fleece (Pink & Navy Owner)
"It took five years of dreaming before I became a mom. But it’s the best thing I’ve ever been able to do and I’m so grateful I get to be a mom. Having little children is hard work, you put everything into it, but those huge hugs around the neck make losing sleep worthwhile. Now as a mom of adult children it’s amazing to me to get to have adult relationships with them. I always thought I would be sad not to have little kids around but I LOVE getting to have these adult relationships with them and see who they are becoming."
Jennifer Krach (Pink & Navy AMI Store Manager)
"Believing and dreaming that one day I’d be a mom was something that was always just a part of me, from the time I was a little child. When I held my first baby girl in my arms, I knew that God had given me such an amazing blessing. I was 23 at the time, and a single mom, but I had a new reason to live each day. It sounds a little cliché, but the world looked a little different to me through the eyes of a mom. Many twists and turns came up along the journey, but God always provided what we needed - family and community. Seventeen years and lots of experiences later, my husband and I were blessed with another baby girl. Again, to hold that tiny life in my arms, what a blessing beyond words!"
Reflecting on your journey as a mom, what's one thing you're most grateful for?
Amy Fleece (Pink & Navy Owner)
Love and time. I know that’s two things but I am fortunate that I’ve been able to have this much time with my kids. My mom died when I was 14 and I didn’t get to have that time with her. I truly cherish all these years. Love because you love your kids of course but it’s amazing when they love you back. It feels really special. Like maybe I did an ok job.
Maria Dandy (Pink & Navy Bradenton Store Manager)
Grateful that I was able to be a stay at home mom and raise my sons. Also grateful for all the precious memories we made.
What's one aspect of motherhood that you wish more people understood or appreciated?
Jennifer Krach (Pink & Navy AMI Store Manager)
"Motherhood is such a worthy and lovely and noble aspiration. I pray that girls who desire to be moms, above all, will realize this and never feel as if their dream is to “just” be a mom. Rather, our culture will begin to elevate this amazing and significant calling and “vocation.” "
Debbi Polis (Pink & Navy Sales Associate)
"One aspect of motherhood that I wish more people understood would be how much we sacrifice ourselves for our children. Our children are the most important thing to us."
How can your family make you feel loved and appreciated this Mother’s Day?
Maria Dandy (Pink & Navy Bradenton Store Manager)
"Any quality time I can have with my sons is such a special time."
Debbi Polis (Pink & Navy Sales Associate)
"Being with my family and spending time together at a nice dinner always makes me feel appreciated."
Thank you to all of our cherished Pink & Navy moms for sharing your stories!
One takeaway I'll carry with me this Mother's Day after speaking to all these moms is how treasured time with their kids is. So if you're lucky enough to be able to be with your mom this Mother's Day, make an effort to remain fully present in the moment and make her feel as special as she is!
Happy Mother's Day from the Pink & Navy Team!