I’ve taken countless photographs of my children during significant milestones in their lives, from birthdays to graduations, all the moments we believe we’ll cherish forever. Recently, I stumbled upon a video of my son’s class performance from 12 years ago. There he was, a lively seven-year-old, singing enthusiastically with his classmates and occasionally checking to see if I was watching. His radiant smile was everything to me, and the familiar little gestures tugged at my heartstrings.
Yet, in a flash of clarity, I realized I had focused on the wrong moments. While that concert felt monumental then, I now recognize the true treasures I wish I could relive—those spontaneous, unplanned instances that caught me off guard.
I often snapped photos of my children sleeping, whether it was on the couch, in their car seats, or tucked in their cribs. However, I never thought to bring a camera into our bed. If I could trade anything, it would be to rewind to those mornings when all three of my kids would crawl in beside us. We would wake up slowly, and I’d find arms and legs in their adorable pajamas sprawled over my husband and me. That memory is etched in my mind, and I long to experience it again.
One of my fondest memories unfolds on a sunny August day at my brother-in-law’s house, where a sloped hill became a makeshift water slide. My sons and their cousins slid down the slippery plastic, creating a glorious mess of mud. They laughed with pure joy, and as I scrubbed their muddy bodies later, I could hear them exclaiming it was the best day of their lives. I want to be right back there, soaking in their happiness.
Every year, I took pictures on the first day of school, capturing their excited smiles and fresh haircuts. Yet, the moment I yearn for is a few weeks into one school year when my eldest, who typically thrived in school, climbed into my lap and confessed he didn’t think he could go anymore. As he cried, needing my comfort, I realized I would trade all those shiny first-day photos for just a few seconds holding him, being his safe haven.
I’ve taken countless prom pictures, capturing the transformation of my son from a scruffy teenager into a handsome young man. But the moment I truly want to revisit is the night he came home late, sharing how he had gathered his friends to serenade his date into accepting his prom invite. It was a rare glimpse into his heart, a bridge we crossed in our relationship, bringing us closer to adulthood.
I’ve often held my camera at the wrong times, mistaking the grand events for the moments that truly matter. Yet, parenthood is a journey that never ends. Just the other night, I watched my husband playing soccer with our two teenage sons in the backyard. Their laughter filled the air, and after two decades of motherhood, I finally remembered to put my camera down, breathe in the summer scents, and soak up the joy of simply being together. I did manage to bring my camera along this time, capturing the spirit of the moment.
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In summary, while it’s easy to focus on the big events, the true magic of parenting often lies in the quiet, unplanned moments. As we navigate through the years, it’s these memories that we will cherish the most.