This Mother's Day has me caught in a tangle of feelings as I consider how much my mother has affected who I am. My daughter is 2 years and 8 months old and is a gorgeous, energetic blessing. She has brought me nothing but happiness and pride. But my mother and mother-in-law, two wonderful women, have influenced the parenting path I am on and the woman I am today via their nurturing, mentorship, and sacrifices.

As a mom, I'm honored to share my experience on how motherhood has enriched my life beyond measure. Without hesitation, I firmly believe that being a mom is the hardest job anyone can undertake, yet it remains among the most rewarding experiences out there. From sleepless nights spent rocking our little ones back to sleep to endless loadsof laundry, from managing tantrum meltdowns to the daunting task of cooking healthy, delicious meals for our family - all while working full time jobs, stay-at-home moms and working moms alike bear witness to just how demanding the journey can be.

But hold your breath, because those things pale in comparison to the magical moments we witness every single day. Watching our babies take their first steps, hearing them giggle for the very first time... experiencing unconditional love multiplied a million times - these are just a few of the perks that come with being a parent. Our hearts swell with pride at each milestone achieved; though admittedly, they break a little bit too whenever challenges arise, which - rest assured - is par for the course as well. (Raising resilient young humans takes gumption after all.

So here we are, ladies and gentlemen. Mothers Day rolls around once again, and all I can hope for is to express my deep gratitude not only toward other wonderful mothers out there.