SeleneByMarialyn

I find myself with a grateful heart this evening for the friendships I have forged through motherhood.

Becoming a first-time mom was an immense mix of emotions for me. I was flooded with awe, completely enamored by my precious baby—and terribly lonely.

I knew that wasn’t what I wanted for myself or my daughter, so with the encouragement of my husband, I went on the hunt for mom friends. And it was, indeed, a hunt.

Why is it so flipping hard to make friends as an adult?

There’s this ridiculous balancing act of, I really feel like we hit it off, while simultaneously trying not to give off, Please like me. I promise I’m a great friend. Stage-five-clinger vibes. It feels strangely reminiscent of middle school, except now we’re doing it while sleep-deprived.

Fortunately, the fruits of my labor did not go unrewarded.

I managed to meet some incredible women, and over the years we have built a beautiful community—not only for our children, but for ourselves.

Because as the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

And I truly believe women provide something to other women that no one else quite can. There is a sisterhood in the shared mental load, in carrying the emotional weight of everyday life, and in understanding this unique motherhood experience. Sometimes another woman can look at you and, without needing much explanation, simply say:

Hey. You aren’t alone. You’re doing great. I see you.

And all of those reasons are exactly why I go above and beyond.

Sure, do we really need balloons and a neon sign for puzzle night?

No.

We don’t need them in the same way we need air or water. But maybe we do need them in a different way.

Maybe we need reasons to relish the joyful.

Maybe we need to make a big deal out of something as simple as sitting around a table in our pajamas, eating ice cream, and putting together a puzzle. Turning an ordinary night into a celebration is part of how we remind ourselves that life isn’t only about getting through the next task, checking the next thing off the list, or simply surviving.

We are allowed to celebrate the simplicity of it all.

We are allowed to flourish.

Happiness, community, and shared experiences anchor us to one another. They remind us that we are not alone.

I think it’s pretty obvious that Pints, PJs, & Puzzles was a success. But not because the decorations were adorable—thank you very much.

It was a success because I got to create joy for people I love.

It might not seem like much. A few balloons. A neon sign. Ice cream. Pajamas. A puzzle spread across the table.

But I believe every little bit of good we put into the world matters. Every gathering, every shared laugh, every ounce of creative energy we pour into making life a little more beautiful makes this world a little more tolerable.

And if I can use the things I love to create moments where the women I love feel celebrated, connected, and cared for?

I’ll hang the balloons every single time.