About Joanna Track
Four years ago, Sweetspot.ca Founder Joanna Track settled down with her darling husband and his two adorable young boys. She’s since added “new mom” to her long list of achievements with the addition of baby Teddy. Check back weekly for her tales of sweet family life.
My Breast Friend
me and my boys canada
(Oct.23.09)
Having a baby has been a deeply bonding experience. First, there is the intense bond between me and the little guy (that smile takes my heart away!). And then there’s the increased intimacy I feel with my husband as we marvel at the amazing being we’ve created together.
But the bond I’ve been most surprised and delighted by is the one with my “breast friend,” a term my husband coined. While he came up with this phrase based on overhearing our lengthy breastfeeding discussions, our bond goes well beyond the boob.
A breast friend can be defined as someone who, for whatever reason, used to live on the periphery of your life, but by having babies at the same time you’ve found a common ground that brings you closer.
I am fortunate to have acquired a few breast friends over the last few months. From a high school acquaintance, to a former work colleague, these women have come off the sidelines of my life and onto the playing field to share in the joys of motherhood (and many a laugh as well!).
But the original breast friend is my husband’s best friend’s wife. Over the years we have been thrown together as a result of our husbands’ close friendship. And while I always thought she was a lovely person, our relationship didn’t extend much past the pleasantries of small talk. Not only do we have very different lifestyles, and live in different cities, but I’ll admit that I was somewhat intimidated by her. Let’s just say that she has a high profile career that has provided her the good fortune to engage with some of the greatest minds in the world (like Bill Gates and Barack Obama, to name a few).
I used to wonder what insights I could possibly offer that would be of any real interest to her (I mean, I think I’m pretty interesting, but compared to POTUS it’s really no contest).
But then came Teddy, right around the same time that she had a child. And the next thing I know we are sharing everything about motherhood. From commiserating over sleepless nights, to exchanging breastfeeding tips (she even bought me my most favourite breastfeeding tool), we could talk for hours. Our relationship even went so far that one night we were at a wedding and we shacked up in the bathroom together to pump and dump! (You breastfeeding ladies know of what I speak).
Aside from showing me how I can express breast milk and be on my Blackberry at the same time, my breast friend has taught me so much. She has shown me that being a mother brings with it emotions and experiences that are universal, no matter your walk in life.
So even though my breast friends may never become my best friends, they are near and dear to my heart.
Do you have a breast friend? Have you found that there are women you are now close with due to the common interest of having children?
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