January’s Wildling Sessions were everything I had imagined and more. An expectant mama and her four year old son, an IVF mama and her miracle girl, a doting single mama and a dear friend due next month all filled my home on a cool winter’s day, where we shared stories of the mothering kind and captured these timeless images for each of them.

I asked everyone what motherhood means to them, and their answers were eloquent and perfect and so very familiar to me.

*Make-up by Courtney Norwood and floral crowns by LSP Designs. 

Hillary: “Motherhood is the infinite love for your child, even though he’s been screaming for the past 45 minutes, the impartial feeling when there’s baby vomit on your last pair of clean leggings, rocking the messy bun look for too many days to count and the excitement of knowing at the end of the day you get to do it all over again tomorrow. Motherhood didn’t come as easy to me as I thought, I always wanted to be a mother, but I didn’t expect I would be a single mother at the age of 23. But I am thankful every day that get to spend my days with this little man, and his giant personality! He has made me a better person and realize that to be a mom I don’t need someone else by my side. I just need him, my son.”

Alyson: “You think you know what to expect, when you’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of your first born. Time and time again, I always say, you never know- till you know. You never quite understand the emotions, the love, the exhaustion and how becoming a mom changes you. Motherhood to me, is completely not what I expected at all. It’s tough to explain how there can be one thing in your life that can be so incredibly difficult, and so incredibly wonderful at the same time. I have had many days where I never had a second of silence, time to eat or shower, and count the minutes until bedtime. I have put the baby down in a safe space, and walked away. I have handed her off to her dad and mentally “checked-out”. It sounds cliche, but true, that I would never trade a single second of it. Motherhood to me, is growing with my child. Motherhood to me, is creating this deep bond with her dad and becoming a family. Motherhood to me, is whole-heartedly giving everything I have to someone, just to see them smile. There is nothing in the world that makes your heart feel as full, as being a mama.”

Maureen: “Motherhood to me means sharing in the responsibility of the upbringing on a new life. Giving guidance when needed, showing my children right from wrong, all the while allowing them to test boundaries and take risks in everything they do. Motherhood is loving my husband and showing it daily so that my children can be witness to the qualities and characters of a strong marriage. Motherhood is patience, recognizing that everything is new to my children and they are learning and discovering things for the first time. It is careful consideration into everything I say and continually questioning whether I am acting in love, with kisses and hugs or a firm word when needed. Motherhood is a constant state of learning, for me and my child, with my husband by my side.” 

Keira: “Motherhood for me is loving someone unconditionally. No matter what [happens], I will always be his mother and I will always be there when he needs me. I have to admit, some days motherhood kicks my ass and I hate my body or just want to not argue with a 4 year old about why he can’t eat 5 packs of gummies a day; but in the end I go to bed knowing that I created this little human being and I’m very blessed. I’m excited to be growing another baby to add to our family and experience life over again through a new set of eyes.”