This morning, our dear son, Tieriayooluwa and I celebrated a very special person—his mother and my beloved wife. With a thoughtful gift, we marked our appreciation for her love, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment to our family.

It’s curious to think about the concept of motherhood and how varied our experiences of it can be. Since October 25th, 2021, when Tieriayooluwa was born, I have come to understand motherhood in a new light. Reflecting on my own upbringing, I recognize that my mother, despite her best intentions and the constraints of her circumstances, had her limitations. She came from a tough background and did her utmost within the bounds of her opportunities. She employed what she knew—often relying on negative reinforcement to instill positive behaviors. Sadly, this approach often fell short of conveying the love we knew she had for us.

It was not until Tieriayooluwa’s arrival that I truly felt the essence of motherhood which had eluded me. In my wife, I see a different kind of motherhood—an undiluted, profound expression of maternal love that not only exists but thrives. She embodies what it means to be a nurturing mother, making every effort to ensure that our child feels loved and connected.

Throughout her pregnancy and into motherhood, she has handled everything with grace and decisiveness. She carefully chooses what is best for our son, from the environment he grows into the media he is exposed to. Her dedication is relentless and her love unconditional. This isn’t just duty; it’s a rare kind of devotion that not all are fortunate to experience.

From my own painful experiences, I’ve been motivated to ensure that no child feels unloved. These experiences have sharpened my understanding of what children should expect from their parents, and what we, as parents, must strive to provide.

Today, I see in my wife not just the mother of our precious son, but a beacon of what motherhood can be. She faces her own challenges, certainly, but she surpasses them with a strength that inspires both our son and me. On this Mother’s Day, we celebrate you, my wife—not just as the mother of our child, but as a vibrant example of possibility in motherhood that I never knew in my own childhood.

Happy Mother’s Day to you, my love. In celebrating you, we celebrate the kind of motherhood that transforms.