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in Blog on March 4, 2018 by Meagan Francis

The Beauty Of March

This essay originally appeared in our monthly newsletter. To sign up, click here.

Here in Michigan, March is the complain-iest month. At least that’s how it is for me. Whereas in January and February I kind of expect cold and gray – and am genuinely surprised and delighted on the rare day that the sun peeks out and the temps rise above freezing – suddenly in March, I feel like I’m owed spring-like weather, and find myself disappointed and irritable when it’s dreary out.

But part of the beauty of spring is the weather you, well, weather to get there, and that’s precisely why those first honest-to-goodness sunny, warm days – the days when you stand outside with your coat off, listening to birds absolutely losing their chirpy little minds, turn your face up to the sun, and inhale the delicious scent of mud and the promise of little green things growing – feel like such a reward. After months of cold, you’ve earned the pleasure of a warm, sunny day, and nothing feels quite as good.

Along with March’s puddles and occasionally-disappointing weather comes fresh promise, and this year that feels like a particularly fitting metaphor for what’s happening in my life. For the last year and a half I’ve been mired in the preamble, process, and aftermath of a divorce that, while not extraordinarily messy, was still a divorce, and all that goes along with that. I admit there have been plenty of days when I’ve just pulled on my boots and slogged through whatever unpleasantness has showed up in front of me, one foot in front of the other, tromping through muck or sliding – and occasionally falling – on slick, unforgiving ice.

The ice part is not entirely metaphorical. Falling on slick patches twice in one week this winter literally changed the way I moved through the world. I took to walking down stairs sideways, clinging to walls and railings and whatever other supports I could find. I studied the ground as I walked, looking for patches of snow and rougher ice to provide traction. I even stopped trusting cement that appeared to be clear of ice – been there, fell on that, got the knee brace. Both literally and figuratively, I’ve been staring down at my feet, looking for the safest next step – rather than letting myself dream and take healthy risks (my usual signature move).

But I’m sensing a change coming. The ice is finally gone, and these days I’m walking with my chin up again. I feel ready to make decisions that take me beyond mere survival, too.

Last week, I decided to ask to go part-time at my agency job, in the hopes that I can spend more time with my kids, get back to writing things that matter to me, and of course, be a bigger help to Sarah as we grow the Life, Listened network.

I also made a somewhat snap decision to move the kids and me from our current five-bedroom home – which I love, but is proving more and more difficult to care for and leaves very little wiggle room in the budget – to a three-bedroom home that will be snug, but allow us all to simplify and even better, save money. (Keep an eye out for an episode about small-space living in the future…)

My request at work was approved, and the other day, I signed a lease on a modest bungalow three blocks from Clara’s elementary school and within easy walking distance of family and friends. The kids are excited about the move, and I for one am looking forward to a fresh, clean, cozy space that I can use as a springboard for a new future for us all.

I also won’t mind having 1300+ fewer square feet to keep clean.

Nothing’s really changed from last month to this month, but somehow it feels everything has. And that’s the beauty of March. All it takes is the sun to come out a time or two to remind you that anything is possible, and that while the weather may change in tiny increments, just a degree or two at a time, it will change.

I didn’t always remember this on the bitterest January days, but now it’s incredibly, unmistakably clear: summer will come again.

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Meagan is married! (And has been for a week!) If y Meagan is married! (And has been for a week!) If you haven’t been following along over on her personal Insta (@meaganfrancis), these may be the first photos you’ve seen. Aren’t they just incredible?

I (Sarah) wasn’t there in person, but you’d better believe I made a Google doc about how to assemble a DIY bridal bouquet from Trader Joe’s, because that’s what friends are for. And you’d also better believe I beamed into my phone as the pictures started to come in - first some iPhone selfies, and later these gorgeous professional shots. I cannot wait to celebrate these two in person in the fall when they gather for a bigger party. 

Will you join me in showering Meagan with oohs, ahhs, love, and well-wishes as she returns from her honeymoon this week? Leave a comment and be sure to mention where you live - let’s love-bomb the happy couple from all over the WORLD!

And if you’d like to listen to me - and some other friends of the bride - offer marriage reflections and advice to Meagan and Eric, check out the May 25 episode of the Mother of Reinvention podcast. I had some CHOICE WORDS for Eric (😛).

Photographer: @brandi.lynns.photo
Dress: @davidsbridal
Shoes: @vionicshoes
Flowers: @traderjoes
New episode! Being a mom in 2023 means having a d New episode!

Being a mom in 2023 means having a device connecting you to the world, wherever you go. It isn't all bad or all good - but it does impact our parenting lives at every turn. Join  @kiamhammond and @jaymesherrod moms of kids ages toddler to teen, as they chat about the good, the bad, and the ugly of being constantly connected - plus offer some tech-positive suggestions for managing smartphone use when things start to feel out of balance.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
New episode! Processionals, promotions, caps, gow New episode!

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Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

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Thank you for checking out our partners and using our links + codes!

Shoutout to our new & featured partners:
🎙️ @amazonmusic (listen to all your favorite podcasts!)
🎧 @pinnaaudio (50% off safe podcasts, stories, and music for kids!) 
👗 @stitchfix ($20 off your first purchase of styles you'll love!)
🤖 @kiwico_inc (50% your first month + free shipping!)

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⭐ @hellofresh (50% off America's #1 meal kit!)
⭐ @rakuten (save $ when you shop!)
⭐ @scholasticinc (books for kids of all ages!)
⭐ @minted (art, cards, decor & more!)
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This week's episode has elicited more comments and This week's episode has elicited more comments and emails than we've gotten in a LONG TIME. We're so glad the topic touched a nerve and appreciate every one of the notes we've received.

Speaking of "doneness" and all the feels about moving out of the baby-having years, this result from our listener survey surprised us. 72% of listeners who responded to the question about plans to grow their families said they are totally done. This is a big jump from previous surveys where we asked the same question (in 2021 59% said they were done; in 2019 47%).

If you haven't taken our survey yet, please do! Click this image at the link in our bio, or type themomhour.com/survey into any browser. Thanks, friends!
Did you know we have travel guides on our website Did you know we have travel guides on our website for NINE different U.S. cities (and counting!)? Our contributors hail from all over the country and know the best playgrounds, coffee shops, and family-friendly activities to make your summer travels more joyful and less stressful.

Our Chicagoland guide comes from @thepaperdart, who lives in SoCal now but hails from the Windy City originally. She has a guide FULL of mom-tested ideas for bringing kids to Chicago and surrounding areas. Click this image at the link in our bio to read Katherine's post, and get all the guides at themomhour.com/travel!

#chicagowithkids #travelwithkids #summer2023 #summertravel #windycitykids #windycitymoms #chicagolandwithkids #chicagomoms #chicago
New episode, based on this letter we received from New episode, based on this letter we received from listener Sarah (swipe to read). We're guessing more than a few of you can relate...

"Done having babies" and "Sad about the end of the little years" are two completely different mom-emotions, as Meagan and Sarah get into today, with the help of a thoughtful listener question. We look at how it's possible to be at peace with your family size and still experience grief at the identity shift that happens as your last babe gets big (and your bigs get huge). We reflect on what pangs us most about small kids growing bigger, how to accept the unfamiliar role of being (slightly) less needed, and what it means to embrace the season you find yourself in - whatever it is.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Summer’s almost here, but Florida’s a place wh Summer’s almost here, but Florida’s a place where you can enjoy the season’s fun and relaxation year-round.  #ad

Escape your busy routine and spread out along 825 miles of beaches, 700 freshwater springs and over 1300 trails with breathing room to run and play. Discover new experiences in the most comfortable place to get out of your comfort zone, only on a family vacation in Florida. (It’s just the best.)

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Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Looking to enrich your home library with nature-in Looking to enrich your home library with nature-inspired children's books? Sandy Hsu (@hopefulsmiles) has a roundup on the blog this week with beautiful book series that bring science and nature to life with compelling visuals. Check it out by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

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