I’ve been called many things in my lifetime of almost 35 years, some of which I’m much more proud of than others. As we grow up and enter life at a larger scale, we covet titles and bigger paying jobs—striving to be the CEO, watching them speed away in their fancy cars, lavish vacations, and sparkly homes.

I remember going to school for what seemed like forever, getting degree after degree, loving each title change, credentials being added to the end of my name, and pushing myself harder and harder to live a dream I had manufactured for myself. Problem was, each promotion, each degree, just wasn’t enough.

Then something happened—perspective.

The long days and nights were spent striving for a title and better position, to ultimately just work more. Not to enjoy the fancy car and house or be able to take a vacation became a reality. Then my children came.

I became a “Mama.” 

That title changed the trajectory of my life. I no longer wanted to push myself beyond reason. I wanted a good life, don’t get me wrong, but who knew that, after a decade of college, proving myself, and landing a job, which I thought was what I always wanted, that idea would become obsolete? 

Life changed when I heard my children cry out for the first time. When they were laid in my arms, I looked at their little faces. My responsibilities, my degrees, my titles, none of them mattered. Being their “Mama” was the most important thing.

My life doesn’t look like what I thought it would. It’s better.

I have a wonderful job that allows me to work from home, take care of my children and make more than a decent living for us. A husband who loves me, a mother that helps so much, and every day reminds me that I am worthy of all the blessings in life.

We are told that our titles matter. We wear them like a badge of honor, displaying them as if all we are, are our jobs and degrees. 

Truth is, when we are gone from this world, those titles won’t matter. What we have done in this world, our children, they are our legacy.

My titles, my career progression, my cars, my house, they all don’t matter at the end of the day. 

My favorite title will always be “Mama.” 

For a “Mama” is the most important job in the world, and one I am thankful I am blessed to hold.