Our family Mother’s Day celebrations have changed over the years, but I always still get together to celebrate with my sisters and parents, and usually, our partners and kids join us. Before the kids, it used to always be a full-day celebration with breakfast, a hike or walk in nature and ending with my sisters and I cooking dinner for my Mom. Now, the day is shortened a bit with a late afternoon get-together and dinner on the deck. As my sisters and partner are moms now, we also do our own Mother’s Day rituals at home.

At this time of year, I am always on the lookout for fuchsia hanging baskets as both my Mom and Wife love them. It’s nice to have the opportunity to celebrate the amazing Moms in our life.

In my Mothers day cards, I always take the time to reflect on all the great ways my Mom has helped me and made my life easier, and how great of a Mom my partner is to our Son. My Mom has always set a great example. She is always willing to go the extra mile and help where she can, whether it's helping me clean and organize my house, shopping, or just being available to talk on the phone. I talk with my Mom on the phone often in between visits. It's a great way for us to connect and just check in, and see how our day went.

My Mom was a stay-at-home Mom until I was in highschool and was always running us around to our many activities when we were kids. I honestly would never want to be a stay-at-home parent with 3 kids, but really admire her for doing it. My Mom has always supported my career, and was the one that discovered I could get early enrollment in business school. It was very fortunate that I got in straight from high school. This way, I only needed to maintain a B average rather than the A average I would have needed in my first two years of university to get in. This allowed me more balance and fun in university to enjoy the many opportunities outside of academics. My Mom has done things like this throughout my life; always taking the time to look into things and act in my best interest.

My son is now 2.5 years old, and it's been amazing to watch my partner be a Mom to him. She is very patient with him, gives him lots of attention and is always attending to his needs. Being a parent is hard at times. It can be exhausting going through the development stages where sleep is disrupted, and your plans go out the window. Becoming a parent is a big lifestyle change, but it feels great to have so much love in your life and a child you adore.

Gone are the days of having a lazy day or just focusing on yourself. I would say everything is a bit more challenging. Having a kid and being a parent is not an easy job. It's been so nice to have my parents help out with my son, and take care of him for a weekend here and there. I would say since having a baby, I appreciate my mom even more and realize how much work she had to do to raise 3 kids.

I feel very blessed to have my mom and partner in my life, and am looking forward to celebrating them this year.

Farewell,

Ash Enns