I’ve learned so many things from being a mom, including things I never even realized I didn’t know! The journey of motherhood has provided me with knowledge that I can apply to all areas of my life. Sometimes, life’s biggest lessons are taught by the tiniest of people.

Lesson 2: Give Love. Then Give Some More.

One of the most amazing things that having a baby has taught me is unconditional love. I thought I knew what love was, but what I have learned is I always used to hold back. I didn’t even realize I was doing this, but having my son showed me a new way to love.

If you haven’t experienced this, it is very difficult to explain. It didn’t matter what my son looked like, how he behaved or what he did, he had—and still has—my heart. This was new for me. In my life, I felt love for many people but I certainly had expectations and criteria in my mind that would determine how I loved someone. Meeting my son and realizing that there was a way of loving that didn’t involve these expectations and criteria has been one of the most liberarting experiences of my life.

Learning to love with the hopes and expectations of nothing in return is the most simple yet profound lesson. I can now look back at past relationships and see how my behavior was not very loving to others. My son has taught me to accept people for who they are and to love them with my whole heart, regardless of how they may be behaving in the moment. This boy has forever changed my life with this one lesson.  Love with an open heart, expect nothing in return and somehow everything will come to you.