This Mother's Day will be my third year celebrating being a mom while holding a sweet baby in my arms. But my first true "official" Mother's Day was actually May 13, 2012, when I was 23 weeks pregnant with our little boy, Micah Jordan. 

Sure, I may not have given birth or actually changed a diaper yet. And believe it or not, those were things that made me doubt that I was qualified to celebrate in the presence of other, veteran moms. But my body was sustaining a life other than my own. It was already putting someone else's needs before myself. And isn't that truly what being a mom is all about anyway?

I have been thinking back a lot this week on my journey to motherhood.

It wasn't as easy or predictable as I had hoped. It was a journey filled with (more) prayer and (more) patience (than I necessarily wanted). Some of you may have read along with me as I blogged through what was surely one of the more difficult seasons of my life. But it's amazing to me now as I look over at our family photo... and see not only one, but two baby faces. And I truly believe that they are answers to our prayers and many of yours as well.

God is faithful. 

But even if I had never been able to have children physically, I hope I would still be celebrating Mother's Day this weekend. Because long before Micah and Hannah were even a thought, God placed a desire in my heart for them. And I believe wholeheartedly that Josh and I would have found a way to, somehow, become parents. 

Because the road to just getting pregnant was tough for us, I think that's why I so passionately considered myself a mom when I finally did. Yes, the love that I experienced was incredibly different the moment I laid eyes on both of my children at delivery. But the love I have for them now is growing with every step they take and every word they say. I am sure I won't be the same mom I am now, when they graduate high school and get married one day. 

And this is why I consider every pregnant woman a mother and will be wishing her a "Happy Mother's Day" this weekend. 

And every mom who has adopted a little one or is in the process of adopting a child, "Happy Mother's Day."

Every mom who has raised her brothers or sisters or nieces or nephews or humbly stepped in when another mom has stepped out, "Happy Mother's Day." 

And to every mom who may not get to see her child again until they reunite in heaven, "Happy Mother's Day."

Being a mom is not something we have to "earn." Some moms didn't ask for it, wish for it, or want it. And some moms prayed, waited and sacrificed for it. Some carried a baby for nine months. And some met their child long after they were born. 

Whether you became a mom by traditional means or unconventional methods - the cause is not as important as the role you are playing in a child's life. On Mother's Day, it's not "how" you became a mom that is celebrated, it's that you are one. 

Happy Mother's Day to you all.