Who am I

There are those moments in life — when you’re so deeply connected to your purpose — that you feel it in every part of you.

In your mind, your heart, your body… a kind of inner peace, a glowing aura that wraps around you.

I know what that feels like, because it happened to me — exactly 14 years ago today.

March 8, 2009 at 9:15 / 9:16 AM, they were born.And in that moment, I felt like I had fulfilled a huge part of my purpose here on Earth.

After fertility treatments, conceiving triplets, a recommendation to reduce — and choosing reduction,non-stop vomiting like Kate Middleton, preterm contractions at week 29,

bright red stretch marks and one tough pregnancy!

And then they came out — or rather, were brought out — at week 37 via elective C-section.

Yonatan was breech and insisted that made him the eldest (by a minute).

Shaked, head down, got a little squished inside thanks to her brother.

And me? I cried most of the day.

Because Shaked had a dirty diaper in the nursery and no one noticed,and because someone told me Yonatan was a crier.

The lioness in me burst out that day — and she’s never left.

(Which makes sense — it is International Women’s Day, after all!)

Every birthday morning I tell them,

“I’m so grateful you were born.”

They’ve started noticing I do it every year.Because I’m endlessly thankful for them.

Thankful for the version of me I get to be with them.

For the overwhelming joy that’s been with me ever since —I fell in love, and even that, I now know, is no small thing. I’m grateful for that too.

“Children love those who love them.”

And even at 14, I still get hugs, kisses, and requests for fun days together.

(I can’t always tell if it’s love or just seeing me as an ATM — but I choose the first.)

I’m always trying to get better —learning what to say and how to say it to teens.

Years ago, I gave them a heads-up (strategy, people!):

“In your teen years, you might get a little dumb. That’s why it’s called teenage dumb.”

I told them,“You may not understand things clearly — so listen to me.”

But the real secret?

Listening to them.

Not always agreeing — just always listening.

I wish them self-confidence, wholeness, love, strength, wisdom, emotional stability, physical and mental health, happiness, calm —and everything good the world has to offer.

And when the world inevitably disappoints them,

I’ll be right here — to listen, to see them,and most importantly — to remind them of the good.

📸 By the beloved Tali Melamed.