Twelve years ago, I was robbed. I lost everything I once knew about myself. 

I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the woman staring back. My waist was gone. My belly wasn’t flat anymore.
I walked into a room as one person and came out as someone else. They stole my sleep, now I woke up every three hours.
They stole my independence — I could no longer come and go as I pleased.
They stole my sense of security — I started feeling afraid, because I realized that without me, you couldn’t make it.
They stole my paycheck — now I had to share it with you.
They stole my favorite music — replaced by soft lullabies and high-pitched songs.
They stole my usual worries — now, every single one of them carried your name.

And yes, I cried over those losses. They hurt.

Not because I didn’t love you, but because no one had told me that loving this deeply could hurt too. Because love — true love — always comes with sacrifice.
But one day, without even noticing, I started to get everything back.

It was a random afternoon, driving home. The three of you were singing loudly in the backseat, when I felt my youngest son’s hand rest gently on mine. In that moment, I knew: everything they need is right here. Their safety, their comfort, their home.
We are their universe.

Since becoming a mother, I’ve lost a lot. However, what I’ve gained is priceless:

✅I’ve gained purpose.

✅I’ve become more aware of my emotions and my behaviors.

✅I’ve gained a new version of myself — one I could never have dreamed of.

Because yes, love comes with sacrifice… But also with meaning. With presence. With transcendence.

Our children hurt us, stretch us, challenge us… But they also inspire us to grow, to keep going, to become better.

So thank you, dear children, for all that you’ve taken from us — and for everything you unknowingly give back.
Because without you, we wouldn’t be this wonderful.