My first official motherly duty for little Leo (besides, you know, giving birth to the kid) was planning his baptism. So I did what any responsible new mother would do and decided to have the event at my parent’s house so I wouldn’t actually have to do too much work…KIDDING, MOM!!! (Kind of.) In honesty, after debating whether to have Leo’s baptism in Boston or Canandaigua, we decided it would be special to have his ceremony at the church where we were married, which was close enough for Leo’s great-grandparents to attend. We chose the Sunday after Christmas and put it on the calendar. I thought about the significance of getting Leo baptized…but I was also busy thinking about Christmas presents, and the perfect outfit for Leo to wear, and who I could pass my camera off to so we could capture the iconic Lion King Circle of Life picture with the priest holding up my little Leo in front of the congregation. It wasn’t until meeting with Father Stan a few days before the Mass that everything hit me. Leo’s baptism fell on the same day as the Feast of the Holy Family–a celebration of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph–and me, being my sappy old self, couldn’t help but feel sentimental as Alex and I walked Leo down the aisle that day. Here we were, surrounded by our friends and family who have been with us on a journey that has ended with this little baby of our very own. The timing was absolutely perfect. The symbolism, although was accidental on my part, felt completely serendipitous.

Thank you to our friends and family that traveled to celebrate with us and those that were there in spirit. We are blessed to have you in our lives!  And to our sweet baby Leo–may you feel the love that surrounded you on this day, every day of your life.