We Don’t Love People Because They are Beautiful

I am working with The American Mama and gDiapers on their #MadeWithLove campaign. As the mother of four, the things I cherish are made with love, and perfectly imperfect in their own way. Let’s face it – as much as motherhood is a product of our love, it is not perfect, nor does it need to be in order to be amazing! A Danish saying inspired me to write tonight: “We don’t love people because they are beautiful! People are beautiful because we love them!”

This is February, the month where we celebrate the heart: heart health, love, compassion and passion. We go to great lengths to honor the people who make us smile, feel better about ourselves and make our lives a celebration. As a mother, my Valentines are my four boys and husband. Every single day, in each their own way, they make me feel loved, respected and wanted.

Our Home!
Our family is truly a product of LOVE – and our love starts at HOME! Our house is new, beautiful, cozy and has all the ingredients of a home – but to an outsider it may not look perfect. We have so many rooms still to decorate and organize, the dust bunnies are roaming throughout and the floors are covered in either dirty mis-matched socks or random pieces of LEGO. Yet it is the place that we all come home to at the end of the day. Where we rest our tired heads and where we gather around the table to nourish our bodies with food. We play, discover, yell, sing, fight and frolic. It is our sanctuary and it is the ideal childhood home – made with love!

Our boys!
Oh boy were they made with love – a love so strong, a love that longed for a large family. Each and every one of these little boys was wanted, requested in prayer and arrived into our family at just the right time. We love them dearly and deeply for their distinct personalities. In their mother’s eyes – of course they are nothing less than little miracles walking the earth. To others though, they may be too whiny, too wild, too wimpy, too much of one thing and sometimes not enough of another. We would walk through fire, cross oceans, and climb mountains for these little boys. They are unique individuals – made with love!

My husband!
My husband is a beautiful soul and a handsome man. Our marriage is certainly made with love – a love that endured some of the hardest struggles that parents can encounter. We have walked through dark valleys together, we have scaled rocky paths side by side and we have coasted along peaceful rivers. Together we have traveled through a lifetime of experiences in just 10 short years. We are a united front when dealing with the kids. We support each other’s journeys and respect each other’s opinions. We don’t always agree, nor do we share the same beliefs, but even those perfect imperfections remind me that our marriage is truly made with love.

Me!
“We don’t love people because they are beautiful. People are beautiful because we love them!”
When my husband and I met ten years ago I was 40 lbs lighter and in the best shape of my life. After four large pregnancies (babies ranging from 9 lbs 1 oz to 11 lbs 5 oz), four c-sections, nursing for a total of 6 years (and counting) it is safe to say that my body is flaunting a battle wound or two. The surgical scars, stretch marks, lifeless skin and body parts taken over by gravity all played a role in creating life – lives made with love! Our boys know me as “Mama”, with the tiger striped stomach, the soft arms, wrinkly smile and the solid hugs. To them I am comfort, I am safety, I am nourishment and stability. To my boys I AM LOVE, and I am beautiful because they love me! My body, beautifully scarred and made with love!

Celebrate life’s imperfections, cherish uniqueness, and love your friends and family – all the things made with love!

While you are busy celebrating life and loving those around you, hop on over to Instagram and check out a wonderful effort taking place by gDiaper. Their unique gift chain is warming the hearts of strangers everywhere – come join the fun!

Speaking of “fun” – stay tuned for the date and time of a great Twitter chat about how motherhood is #MadeWithLove – and a chance to win lots of gDiaper prizes!

Please check out The American Mama, she writes beautifully from the heart.

gDiapers is a great company that connects the gap between disposable and cloth diapers. I will be reviewing them soon!

What in your life was #MadeWithLove?