Mother’s Day - 2026

It was an unusual Mother’s Day for us this year. We were actually in town. Not only were we in town, but all of Alison’s family happened to be out of town too, so it ended up being a pretty low key day at home together.

Alison slept in for a bit while I got up with Madeline. Once Alison woke up, we gave her her Mother’s Day gift. This year we got her a bracelet engraved with “Madeline Joy.” It felt meaningful and Alison seemed to love it.

After getting ready, we headed to brunch. We had reservations at Sunday's Best, one of the trendy brunch spots here in Utah that always seems packed. The food was really good. I had the eggs benedict, Alison got the breakfast tacos, and Mads happily worked on a pancake while taking in all the activity around us. Everything tasted great, and the ambiance was fun and lively. The service left a little something to be desired, but it was also Mother’s Day and they were absolutely slammed, so it was hard to hold it against them. We’d definitely go back.

After brunch, we stopped by Blake and Debbie’s house to feed their cat. Madeline loves helping give her treats and takes the responsibility very seriously. She gets so excited to hand over the treats and watch the cat come running over. It was one of those little stops that probably took fifteen minutes total, but somehow still felt like a meaningful part of the day.

After that, we headed home and I put Mads down for her nap.

When she woke up, we went for a walk around the lake and stopped by Harmons so Alison could grab some gelato. It was one of those beautiful warm spring afternoons where Daybreak really shines. The lake was busy with families, runners, dogs, and kids riding bikes, and everything finally felt green again after a long winter. We took our time walking and just enjoyed being outside together. These kinds of evenings always remind me why we love living here.

Back at home, I had been slow cooking pork for dinner all day. We had pulled pork, corn on the cob, and cauliflower together for dinner. Simple, but really good. Honestly, it felt like the kind of meal that perfectly matched the day. Comfortable, relaxed, and spent together at home.

It wasn’t a flashy Mother’s Day. There were no big trips or elaborate plans. But in a lot of ways, it felt representative of this season of life for us right now. Slow mornings with a toddler. Brunches where half the experience is keeping Mads entertained. Afternoon naps. Walks around the lake. Simple dinners at home. The kind of day that might not look especially exciting from the outside, but quietly becomes the best kind of day.

Watching Alison as a mom continues to be one of the greatest joys of my life. She is so naturally loving and patient with Madeline. She is the person Mads wants when she is tired, overwhelmed, excited, hurt, or needs comfort. Right now Alison is very clearly the preferred parent, and it makes perfect sense. She has such a calming presence with Mads. She knows exactly how to settle her down, make her laugh, or help her feel safe.

What I admire most is how consistently present Alison is. She gives so much of herself every single day. Whether it is reading the same books over and over, singing songs, helping Mads learn new words, comforting her, or just sitting on the floor playing with her, she pours herself completely into motherhood. Madeline absolutely adores her.

There are so many little moments between the two of them that I hope I never forget. The way Mads lights up when Alison walks into a room. The way she reaches for her hand on walks. The way they laugh together during bath time or while dancing in the kitchen. Watching their relationship grow over this past year has been one of the sweetest parts of parenthood for me.

I really can’t imagine our lives without Alison. She makes our family feel warm, safe, steady, and full of love. We were grateful to have a whole day dedicated to celebrating her, even if it was a simple one at home. These simple days together are becoming some of my favorite memories.