When are you a mother?

Is it when the idea of becoming a mother becomes an actual possibility? You are in love. You are married. You dream about it. You talk about it. You decide… and have sex without taking any precautions.

Is it when you not trying, not preventing (as they call it)? You know sex could lead to a baby.

Is it when you are trying to get pregnant? Suddenly remembering your sex ed classes that there a system in place.

Is it when you calculate your ovulation date? When is this month’s window?

Is it when the pregnancy test is (finally) positive? It is official. Boom. Pregnant.

Does it start only after the so-called twelfth week? It is official, official.

After the anatomy scan? It is official, official, official.

Or does it start at their first kick — this baby is real —

Or only at birth?

Becoming a mother is a journey, and like taking the first baby steps, it truly starts before you ever take them.