My Postpartum Angel: Why Every Mama Needs a Sarah Bee (or Two!)

Okay, you guys. I’m still just, like, reeling from the whole experience of bringing Cherry into the world. Every time I think about those first few weeks, my heart just gets so full. It’s a blur, for sure, but it’s also filled with so much love and support that I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without it. And when I think about that support, one person just immediately comes to mind and makes me wanna cry happy tears every single time: my girl, Sarah Bee. Seriously, ily Sarah. You’re the best.

I mean, can we just talk about this for a sec? Sarah, my sweet, amazing friend, was only 11 days postpartum herself when she was there for me. Eleven. Days. If you’ve ever been postpartum, you know what that means. You’re basically still a walking, breathing, leaking, hormonal mess. You’re recovering from giving birth, you’re sleep-deprived like you’ve never been before, and you’re trying to figure out how to keep a tiny human alive. It’s a lot. It’s more than a lot. It’s like, a whole new universe of a lot. And yet, there she was, showing up for me, staying with me, being my rock. I mean, who does that? A true angel, that’s who. :,)

The Postpartum Blur: When You Need Your People Most

The first few days and weeks after having a baby are just… wild. With Stella, and then Ozzy, and now Cherry, each time it’s been different, but also the same in a lot of ways. There’s this intense love that just washes over you, unlike anything else. But there’s also this overwhelming feeling of exhaustion, and sometimes, honestly, a little bit of fear. Am I doing this right? Is she okay? Am I okay? Your body is doing all these crazy things, your hormones are on a rollercoaster, and you’re trying to navigate this whole new rhythm of life with a newborn. It’s beautiful, it’s messy, it’s everything all at once.

Tanner is my absolute rock, always. He’s my hype man, my partner in crime, and he jumps in and helps with everything. I literally couldn't do any of this without him. And my mom, oh my gosh, my mom. She’s seriously the strongest woman I know, and she taught me everything about being a mom. She was there for me so much, just like she always is. But even with the most amazing husband and mom in the world, you still need your village. You need your friends, your sisters, your people who just get it.

And that’s where Sarah came in. She wasn't just a friend; she was a friend who was living the exact same reality, just a few days ahead of me. She understood the exhaustion, the pain, the joy, the fear, all of it. She didn't have to say much, she just had to be there. And that, you guys, is priceless.

What Does "Showing Up" Really Mean?

When I say Sarah showed up, I don’t mean she came over and did my dishes (though bless anyone who does that!). I mean she was just… present. She listened. She offered a knowing look. She probably shared some of her own fresh postpartum woes, and we could just commiserate together. Sometimes, the best help isn't about doing something, it's about being seen and understood. It's about knowing you're not alone in the trenches.

I remember just feeling so grateful that she was there. It wasn’t about needing her to fix anything, bc there was nothing to fix. It was just about having someone who understood the sheer weight and wonder of those early days. Someone who could sit with me, maybe hold Cherry for a few minutes so I could just stare at her, or just talk about literally nothing. That kind of companionship, especially when you feel so isolated in your new-mama bubble, is everything.

It made me think, too, about how important it is to have friends who are in similar life stages. Not that you can’t be friends with people who aren’t, bc duh, but there’s just something extra special about having someone who truly, deeply gets what you’re going through right at that moment. She was living it, breathing it, feeling it, just like me. And that connection was so powerful.

The Power of Your Village: Don't Be Afraid to Lean In

This whole experience with Sarah really hammered home for me how crucial it is to have a strong village, especially when you become a mom. We hear it all the time, “it takes a village,” but sometimes it’s hard to actually let that village in. We feel like we have to be supermoms, like we have to do it all ourselves. Ngl, I've definitely felt that pressure before. But those early postpartum days are not the time for that, friends.

It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to accept help when it’s offered. It’s okay to say, “Hey, I’m drowning a little here,” or “Could you just come sit with me?” Or even, “Can you bring me a Diet Coke?” (bc sometimes that’s all you need, amiright?). We are not meant to do this alone. Motherhood is a collective experience, and we need each other to navigate it.

I think sometimes we worry about being a burden, or we feel like we should be able to handle it. But think about it: if your friend called you and said they needed you, wouldn’t you want to be there for them? Of course you would! So extend that same grace to yourself. Let your people show up for you. Let them be your Sarah Bee.

Paying It Forward: Being Someone Else's Angel

Sarah’s incredible kindness and selflessness, even when she was in the thick of her own postpartum journey, just blew me away. It made me think about how I want to be that kind of friend for others. I want to be someone who shows up, who listens, who understands, even when it’s not convenient. Because that’s what real friendship is, isn’t it?

It’s not always about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s just about being present. About bringing a meal. About sending a text that says, “Thinking of you, how are you really doing?” About offering to watch the older kids for an hour so a new mama can just shower in peace. Or, like Sarah, just sitting there, being a warm, understanding presence.

So, to all my mamas out there, please know you are not alone. And if you have a Sarah Bee in your life, hold onto her tight and tell her how much she means to you. And if you can, be someone else’s Sarah Bee. Pay that kindness forward. Because those early days are tough, but they’re also so beautiful, and having your village there makes all the difference in the world. I’m just so grateful for mine. :,)

Find Your Village, Cherish Your Village

I feel like I’m always talking about how important family is to me, and it’s true. My girls, Stella, Ozzy, and Cherry, they are my whole world. Tanner is my everything. My mom is my hero. But my friends, my chosen family, they fill such a unique and vital role too. They’re the ones who see you through different lenses, who offer different kinds of support, who remind you that you’re still you, even when you’re a mom.

So, whether you’re about to have a baby, you’re in the thick of it, or you’re years past it, take a moment to appreciate your people. The ones who show up. The ones who understand without you having to say a word. The ones who, even when they’re going through their own stuff, still make space for you. Those are the real ones. And Sarah, you are definitely one of the realest. Thank you for everything. Ilysm. ❤