Lessons from Elsie: A different kind of love
Some say that a bond between a mother and her child is the strongest human bond there is.
And whilst I know that sadly this isn’t always the case, I’m beginning to realise exactly what people mean. As a new Mum, I now get it. I understand.
It’s love, but not as you know it.
I like to think I know how to love and be loved. I certainly hope so. And I’m not talking about those heady highs of first love or those lustful infatuations (as nice as they are), but true love, that makes you put someone else’s happiness before your own.
There are different kinds of love of course. What you feel for your parents is completely different to how you feel about your husband, partner or a friend. I know this. I also knew that my love for Elsie would be different to what I feel for anyone else. I just never realised (and how could I?) how overwhelming and totally absorbing it is, the love you have for your child.
I loved Elsie before I even met her. From the moment the word pregnant popped up on my pregnancy test, my maternal instinct well and truly kicked in. It was my job to keep my unborn baby safe, happy, content and healthy and it was a gift and responsibility that I never took for for granted.
But when she finally came into the world and I saw her face and looked into her eyes for the first time, something else happened, something I’ve not really experienced before – absolute unconditional love.
From her head to her teeny tiny toes, there isn’t a part of Elsie which I do not adore.
There’s no face I’ve seen in my lifetime which is more beautiful than hers, no smile as perfect, no sound as sweet. And her smell, I just can’t get enough of her smell! If I could bottle it and wear it everyday for the rest of my life I would. (I know how weird that sounds!)
When she cries, I cry. When she smiles, I smile. At three months old, it’s the little things she does – a smile, a coo, a chuckle – which are the biggest highlights of my day.
I have an instinctive urge to protect and cherish her at all costs. I worry constantly, sleep lightly and love her deeply.
I am a Mum. :)
Till the next time,
Katie
x
and it just gets better kate !!
Glad to hear it Leah! :)
Oh my days Katie, you’ve just had me in tear, I could not agree more with everything you’ve said. I was going to write a post like this but you have taken my exact thoughts and written them down perfectly, I could never top this. xx
Aw Franki, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I hope those tears were happy ones – we’re incredibly blessed aren’t we? Motherhood truly is incredible x
You have such a beautiful way with words Kate! Your blog posts are always such a pleasure to read, and you can really feel the love in this one, hearing about your experience with Elsie has made me anticipate the day when I have my first child (hopefully in more than a few years from now)
She will certainly become a strong young lady one day with such a wonderful mum (& dad!) x x x x
Jess, that’s one of the nicest heart-warming comments i’ve ever received. Thank you so much. When your time comes (when you’re ready in years to come!) I have no doubt you will make a wonderful Mum too x
Such a beautiful post-a mother’s unconditional love is the best love on earth x
Thank you lovely lady. It most definitely is x
Not sure my comment came up-gorgeous post, a mother’s love is the best love of all x
It did come up my lovely but thank you for taking the time to post again! :)
A mother’s love is quite simply, extraordinary! x
“I loved Elsie before I even met her!” – such beautiful words … brought tears to my eyes! Being a mummy, it is so indescribably amazing! Wait until she is going to say she loves you… unconditionally….
Adriana xxx
P.S. beautiful post!
Thank you Adriana!
I can’t quite believe how incredible motherhood is. Just seeing Elsie smile or hear her chuckle is enough to brighten my day :) x
P.S I can’t wait until she says ‘I love you’ or calls me ‘Mummy’! x
It is AMAZING! It made me cry! Can’t wait for you to let us know! :o) xxx
So beautiful. Nothing can compare to a mother’s unconditional love. Protective, all consuming, heart stopping love. The perfect Valentine’s post x
These are the most beautiful words I have ever read Kate, and it will just get better and better, and even if you have ten more children the love is the same. My love for my children (all grown up now) is still the same feeling as when they were little, the only difference is that they have grown up and I am so unbelievably proud on how beautiful they are not just on the outside but on the inside and what they have achieved., and now my grandchildren are here, I am so incredibly contented, I know exactly how you feel about Elsie because I feel exactly the same. xxx
Oh lovely, yes this is exactly it! I adore this post xxx
Beautiful post and you are right, there is a whole other love for your little one isn’t there? All encompassing! it’s funny too as I think it’s similar with nieces and nephews. I’m not an auntie, but my little brother, when I told him I was pregnant for a second time, he said he loves Monkey so much, a love that he never felt before and that he couldn’t imagine loving another child as much as he loves Monkey. Brought tears to my eyes, what a softie! lovely post xx #brillblogposts
Beautiful post Kate so full of love and joy-you are so right, there is NOTHING like the love you have for your child/ren, that unconditional, overwhelming, heart stopping LOVE. Thanks so much for linking up to #brilliantblogposts