When I look at my babies, I see more than three little faces.
I see three lives beginning.
I see possibilities.
I see first steps that haven’t happened yet.
First words.
First days of school.
First friendships.
Dreams they haven’t even discovered.
I see three little people who will someday become adults with their own stories.
And I hope they grow up knowing that their worth has never depended on the opinions of strangers.
Step 6: The Comment That Made Me Cry
One evening, I read another comment.
Someone had written:
“Your babies aren’t beautiful.”
I stared at the screen.
For a moment, I felt angry.
Then I looked across the room.
The three babies were sleeping peacefully.
One had kicked off a blanket.
Another had her tiny hand resting against her cheek.
The third was making little noises in her sleep.
And suddenly, I started laughing.
Not because the comment was funny.
Because I realized how meaningless it was.
That stranger didn’t know my babies.
They didn’t know their smiles.
They didn’t know their personalities.
They didn’t know how much joy they had brought into my life.
They had judged a photograph.
I knew the people in it.
Step 7: I Stopped Asking for Approval
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