There is legitimately nothing I love more than cuddling with my almost one-year-old daughter. I often look at her and wonder how I got to be so lucky to have such a beautiful young girl in my life. The idea that she is MY little girl – in some ways, I still don't believe it. And seriously, where did a year of time go? Surely someone is playing a joke on me.

My husband and I tried for almost two years before I got pregnant. There were many times when I felt our efforts were hopeless and that we weren't meant to have biological children. But on one fateful Saturday morning, I had the urge to see if that test would come back positive. And there it was. Staring me right in the face - the word YES. I've had a lot of memorable moments in my life - but that will probably stick with me until the day I die.

Being a mom has taught me so many things. Those who know me know that I often don't have enough patience. It's something that I've tried to work on over the years - but now is the time when I've been trying the most. A teething daughter truly tests your nerves - those of you who have helped young ones through it know exactly what I'm talking about here - but you have to remain calm in order to help your little one through all the rough patches of producing teeth.

Being a mom has taught me a whole new level of love. I've always loved my parents, not always liked them, but ALWAYS loved them. Becoming a parent introduces you to what your parents feel about you. I love my husband dearly, with all of my heart, but there is something about the love a parent feels for a child that is, at least for me, indestructible.

Being a mom has taught me what real pain is. I've always been a fairly wimpy person, so I was SO nervous when I learned that I was pregnant. I didn't think I'd get through the pregnancy pains, let alone the ULTIMATE pain: the labor and delivery. I told my husband from the outset that I wasn't going to use any medication to help with the delivery. And for awhile I stood very firm. I almost caved. I actually was asking the nurses if I could switch - but they knew my wishes and helped me through every second of it. And so did my hubby. I know everyone is different and I think that each woman going through that experience has to do what is right for her but for me, I was immensely proud of myself.

Being a mom has changed my perspective. I used to read short stories with my freshmen and look more at the literature than anything else. Look at these beautiful metaphors! Oh, did you see that simile! The alliteration is WONDERFUL! But now I view what I teach in a different light. We recently read "The Scarlet Ibis" in my ninth grade class. I was almost a ball of tears at the end of it. I've never cried at that story before - but having a child and reading about the death of a child really gets to a person.

Being a mom has taught me how to cherish my time. I used to waste A LOT of time doing pointless things, mostly watching TV, and now I realize that the amount of time I have on this Earth and with the people I love is incredibly limited. In fact, it makes me incredibly sad to think how short my time with my little girl will be. She's almost a YEAR old now - and I have to cherish EVERY. SINGLE. MINUTE. that I am gifted with her.

Being a mom is the greatest single gift that I have ever received. I am so lucky to have a gorgeous daughter who will - I hope - one day look up to me as much as I look up to my mother. Fingers crossed.