32 Comments
User's avatar
Istiaq Mian's avatar

The part about Dr. Becky made me chuckle :) Whenever I feel like I run out of strategies with my kids, I download one of her podcasts and listen to it on a bike ride.

What I love about my friends: their resilience. I've seen some of them move across the country or move up in their line of work and do hard things/take chances and it's been awesome in that regard.

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

I listen to Dr. Becky to reparent myself! Haha.

What a great quality to appreciate Istiaq. I have friends who I admire for their resilience and bravery and it feels so much easier to "borrow" some of theirs than to conjure up my own? The best part of having good friends is that they can show you how it's done.

Expand full comment
Istiaq Mian's avatar

Oh no way I’ve never heard of anyone doing that (reparenting themselves with podcasts) but that is so cool.

And agreed, good to live vicariously sometimes :)

Expand full comment
Dr. CK | Beyond Borders 🛫's avatar

This may not be intended to be a poem but, Breanna...my goodness, girl! This is utterly poetic! I must admit that I started laughing at the first 2 stanzas because that's literally me now. Again, this is a precious ode to your friends and their mini-me's. I hope they know how lucky they are to have YOU.

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Thanks Dr. Charity :) You're doing a great job.

Expand full comment
Dr. CK | Beyond Borders 🛫's avatar

You’re welcome, dear. ❤️

Expand full comment
Sri Juneja's avatar

This brought tears to my eyes. There’s something magical about a friend who sees all of you and loves you for it. Your friends are very lucky to have that person in you.

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing Sri. ❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment
Sherry V. Chidwick's avatar

We moms are so much more than our parenting. Thank you for acknowledging that.

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Parenting definitely seems all consuming. I see the work my friends put in and it's amazing.

Expand full comment
Amelia Wilson's avatar

Oh gosh, I have these feelings all the time when I'm with friends who are mothers - and I wonder if they're thinking the same thing about me! I see the women they were at karaoke bars and in bikinis on beaches, and winning academic awards, and swim races, and it's an incredible thing!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

I'm sure they are Amelia!

Expand full comment
Terror's avatar

Dang, this was incredible! I always felt like parents were super heroes growing up, and they somehow had it figured out. This made it seem a little more possible to do myself someday. Thank you for sharing!!

Expand full comment
emilia✨'s avatar

i can feel the love and admiration you have for your friends! it's such a gift to be able to experience new life phases with people. so beautiful!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Thanks Emilia :)

Expand full comment
Andrea Hoffmann's avatar

The visual of the mauled stick of butter though…

VIVID!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

I can still picture it! Haha, I was very shook when I saw my friend's daughter doing it...

Expand full comment
Violet Carol's avatar

I wish I could like this twice 🫶🏻

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Thanks for reading Violet!

Expand full comment
Rachel Ooi's avatar

This is really lovely, to have a friend who see our whole selves even in the midst of parenting chaos. Your friends are lucky to have you!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Thanks Rachel.

Expand full comment
Morganne Hatfield's avatar

I love the specificity of these friend qualities - beautifully written!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Thanks Morganne :) :)

Expand full comment
Peach's avatar

Can I guess who the stick of butter is about? We know how good we have it, having you. Love you so much.

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

My girl Ev!!! She knows what she likes and I love it!

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Rhodes's avatar

Beautifully written, my goodness!

Expand full comment
Aliza Sir's avatar

😭😭

Expand full comment
Minh's avatar

I lovee this!!

Expand full comment
Vittoria Francesca's avatar

This was a beautiful read!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Thanks Vittoria :)

Expand full comment