From the very first time I looked upon your face, bright and lovely, I felt it. Your slate-coloured eyes boring into my own, wide and wondrous, filling me with warmth, hope, love.

Belonging.

I knew, looking at you then, that I’d finally found my place in the world. A world of experiences we would share, the adventures before us unfolding in my mind’s eye. The ups and downs, the joy and the sorrow. It was all there now for me… and you.

I’d never believed that another person would be a reason for just ‘being.’ I’d always felt that you make that choice yourself, you fit where you choose to fit, live for yourself.

I saw then, how wrong I was, the truth shining in those beautiful eyes. New beginnings with endless possibilities.

You weren’t just a ‘person’ though, but so much more. You were a piece of me, and I a piece of you. A heart split into two.

I made you from myself, within myself, those long months past. I felt you growing, an extension of myself, but still never really understood until the moment I held you in my arms. Your tiny heart beating alongside my own, separate, apart… and yet completely, impossibly, together.

Home. It was home I found inside of you. How odd, I’d thought, that I’d find that there. You think of a baby belonging to its mother, but no. It was I belonged to you. You took my whole soul with you, in that first glance – I was yours as much as you were mine. It wouldn’t matter where I was, or whatever else I was, because home was where you were and I was simply yours.

I was sure you knew it too, that almost smile gracing those small pink lips. That little wrinkled hand that fisted against my breast.

I was utterly and completely captivated by the perfection that was you – utterly and completely yours.

It was good. It was right. I belonged.

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Voice-Team
Voice-Team(@voice-team)
Admin
1 year ago

The beauty of this story is in its simplicity. “Split” sounds too harsh for such a gentle story, although the only alternatives we can think of are “Divided” or “Grown” into two.

Paul Lewthwaite
Paul Lewthwaite(@paul-lewthwaite)
1 year ago

Emily, a brilliant poetic insight (especially for a bloke!) into the love and bonding between a new mum and her baby. Thanks for sharing.

Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
1 year ago

An exuberant, breathless love story that speaks to all of us mothers! We always do belong to our children, don’t we? Is the picture a photograph of your own baby? Wonderful writing, Emily.

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
1 year ago

This is so beautifully written Emily. Your words speak for every mother whose heart burst with love, holding their newborn and gazing upon their tiny little face for the very first time. And finding the true meaning of belonging.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
1 year ago

It is a breathtaking story, Emily. As a mother, all your words speak down through to my soul. This story is great and beautiful. Good job.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
1 year ago

You’re welcome, Emily. Yes, definitely.

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
1 year ago

This story is just so perfect and beautiful Emily, and reminds all of us mums, of the deepest feelings of motherhood. The picture of J fits perfectly too 🙂

Last edited 1 year ago by Carrie OLeary
Juma
Juma(@juma)
1 year ago

Beautiful story, Emily. As someone else said, all mothers can relate to this. Simply lovely.

Thompson Emate
Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
1 year ago

I love this story. It’s poetic. I had to read and re-read to understand some lines. Good job.

Marianna Pieterse
Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
1 year ago

Emily, this is a beautiful, relatable story. It captured that feeling of seeing your baby for the first time so well. This is beautiful.

Christer Norrlof
Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
1 year ago

A different, and beautiful, take on an age old experience. You managed to transfer that fresh-mother feeling of bonding with her baby in a great way.

Orlando Sanchez
Orlando Sanchez(@orlando-sanchez)
1 year ago

Caught in the essence of this story is what every parent feels the moment they see that new small person just arriving into the world. Your heart is no longer your own. Wonderful story Emily!

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