Originally the owner of various fine dining restaurants in Orangeburg, South Carolina for the better part of the last few decades, Carolina Dog & Deli owner Joe Fox decided to switch-up his approach in the restaurant business going from long hours and extensive gourmet meals to a daytime venture serving less difficult, but more family friendly items.  The Deli provides a favorite lunch spot among the locals and eagerly serves the hospital employees, other local medical office staff as well as students and faculty from the Technical College of the Lowcountry which is only a few buildings away.

In spending a lunch hour at Carolina Dog & Deli you can tell that Joe is a people person who’s always mixing it up and chatting with the customers.  The Deli boasts a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere where the customer is just as important as the food that they are served.

If you think the only thing on the menu at Carolina Dog & Deli is hot dogs, you are sadly mistaken and missing out on some of the best and freshest sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups in the area. There are an amazing amount of items to choose from, all made with the freshest possible ingredients.

You can opt for a classic Ham and Cheese or Italian, or show a little Carolina pride with their signature sandwich, The Gamecock, which features roasted chicken, ham, bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, and honey dijon dressing creating a melt in your mouth treat, perfect for game day or any other day of the week.

The restaurant provides fresh, homemade tuna, shrimp, and honey almond chicken salads perfect in a wrap or croissant. You can also opt for a lighter lunch with one of the featured salads like the Chicken & Spinach salad, a Caesar salad or go for it all with the Antipasto salad and its mixture of fresh meats, cheeses, and olives all complimenting the restaurant’s deli atmosphere and taste.

Though the menu itself is very diverse, Carolina Dog & Deli does house the best hot dogs in town with various options to choose from. You can opt to try the ‘Classic Carolina Dog’, or cheese it up Lowcountry-style with the ‘Pimento Cheese Chili Dog’.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, as we Beaufortonians almost always are, you can venture on to sample the ‘Shankdaddy Dog’ which is piled high with Mustard, Ketchup, Red Onion Sauce, Chili, Coleslaw, and Jalapenos.

If you’re a repeat offender of this haven of guilty pleasures and scrumptious salads, head on over for one of your favorite snacks and bring a friend. If you’ve never been to Carolina Dog & Deli, you can head over for lunch Monday-Saturday 10am-3pm.   It’s located at 968 Ribaut road, next to Beaufort Pediatrics.

You can always check them out on Facebook too.  They host a fun ‘free lunch giveaway’ every Tuesday morning on their Facebook page.

The owners and staff of Carolina Dog & Deli also have some new products, ideas, and game day activities in the works – look for updates soon!

Lowcountry Goes to Russia

By Owen Plair | When the Lowcountry comes to mind, there are numerous things I automatically think of including redfish, fly fishing, spartina grass, mud flats, gorgeous women, and a place that I have called home my entire life. When Russia comes to mind, the first thought into my head is how my parents adopted my youngest sister from Russia 9 years ago. Then there is the cold weather, fuzzy hats, vodka, gorgeous women, and a place I know nothing about. As you can see my sister and of course gorgeous women are the only two things I thought about when comparing Russia to the Lowcountry. Well, little did I know about Russia until I was offered a job guiding for the Ponoi River Company.

After the opportunity first came to my door step I honestly really didn’t know what to think about guiding in Russia because I knew nothing about the Ponoi River. After days of reading and research, I soon realized that this was not just an opportunity, but a dream come true. The Ponoi River is thought by many as the Atlantic Salmon Mecca and stated by many as the best Atlantic Salmon River in the entire world. I soon realized that Russia and the Lowcountry have more in common than my little sister and gorgeous women, they both have an absolutely amazing fishery!

You can imagine what kind of thoughts were racing through my head during the decision of guiding in Russia. Bay Street Outfitters was number one on that list and as a full time guide, and also shop employee, I couldn’t just pack everything up and jump on a plane. My decision was made final when I shared the news with my boss for the last 7 years. Tony Royal is more than just a boss to me and said, “Owen, you’d be crazy not to do this!”. That day Tony gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever received and with his blessings, prepared myself for Russia. After all of this research I soon realized this was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed and I accepted the position as an American Guide for the Ponoi River Company in Russia.

The first part of the process after getting the job was getting my Russian Work Visa, and by no means was that easy. After months of paper work, emails, phone calls, HIV Test, trips to the State Capital, and loads of stress, I finally received my Russian Work Visa. I also started to purchase clothes and gear for the new area I would call home. I then arranged for my baby girl, Lilla (my weimaraner), to stay with my parents; Barrier Island Marine to keep my Maverick in their show room; and also having someone take care of my house and get all my cars under cover. The basics were done and then it was time to focus on learning the Ponoi River.

During the last few months I’ve learned more about Atlantic Salmon than anything I ever learned in grade school. Understanding the fish was something I wanted to be able to do very well when arriving at camp but still know I will learn mass amounts about the fishery from the experience working with the unmatched team of guides at the Ponoi River Company. Learning to use a two handed 15ft spey rod was lot of fun and a very different technique from double hauling with a 9ft one handed rod. Catching large mouth and brim in my pond was a pretty damn funny site on a 15ft spey rod! Then I learned about techniques on targeting the fish and how the different seasons change your tactics of fishing. I also learned all about the different types of fly patterns and lines they use during the 5 months I will be guiding there.

I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over the world but yet haven’t experienced what its like to live somewhere other than right here in the Lowcountry, let alone guide anglers to a species of fish that I have never even caught.

Yet I’m very confident that my ability not only as a guide but as an angler, will carry over to Russia. I take pride in coming from a saltwater background and transitioning into a freshwater world. I can’t even start to explain the excitement I have for this new adventure and really can’t wait to see how this experience will better my career as a fly fishing guide. The opportunity to guide for the Ponoi River Company came from a 4 hour fishing charter and I can’t wait to see what 5 months of guiding in Russia will have in store. The Lowcountry has brought me this opportunity and the excitement of seeing what I will bring back from Russia to share with the our beloved Beaufort is immense.

I will be flying out Sunday May 12th and will return on October 7th, just in time for the Lowcountry’s  fall redfish madness.
Through these articles I will be sure to keep you all updated on my new adventure as an American Guide for the Ponoi River Company.

Please pray that I don’t come home with a Russian wife… or smelling of Vodka and Salmon.

And she is nothing if not versatile, from fronting her own group, “The Brewer Band,” to being a Worship Leader for her church’s band, all the while holding down a demanding day job as Reference Manager at the Bluffton branch of the Beaufort Library system.

Amanda is a woman on the go, on or off her new motorcycle. Her most recent big purchase is a Harley Davidson Sportster 2003, painted a very cool mystic blue with pink flames. “I have just started to learn how to ride so that is my next project,” she says, “Mac and Paul from the Brewer Band ride, and people from my church band ride as well. I am doing this so I can get out there and enjoy the lowcountry’s back roads and really see the beauty around us.”

It’s a Family Tradition

An only child, Amanda was born in Newport News, VA, where she lived until two years old. Then her family lived outside of Raleigh, North Carolina until the 6th grade when they moved to Lynchburg, South Carolina. Lynchburg is, as she says, “A one stoplight town  between Florence and Sumter. Although it was a small, agricultural town, the slower paced way of life and strong sense of community helped mold me into the person I am today.”

There was a big plus to growing up there. She says, “Grandma’s house was two miles down the road. What a blessing to get to grow up two miles away from grandma’s homegrown country cooking! “

A love of southern cooking wasn’t the only gift passed on to Amanda. She says, “I am one in a long line of musicians. My paternal grandfather, Richard Brewer, was a preacher and traveled on weekends with a family gospel singing group, “The Brewers.” My father, Marty Brewer, and his brothers were each part of the family music group and learned to play instruments and sing.”

And on the other side of her family, “My mother is a pianist and choir leader. My mother’s mother plays organ and my mother’s father leads the congregational singing at their church. It’s only natural I would play and sing too!” Mom Nancy Huggins and step dad Bill Huggins now live in Columbia, South Carolina.  Amanda says, “They are by far the biggest Brewer Band fans!”

Brewer Band

“The band is my first choice to do my music and it’s going great!” says Amanda. It’s a full band consisting of Amanda on lead vocals,  guitar and keyboards, William “Mac” McClelland, bass guitar and emcee, Paul Lazo on trumpet, Duncan Aspinall-Winter and Murray Steen on electric guitar and Dana Scaglione handles drums.

She says, “We just played at the Twilight Run at Habersham, which was  really a musician’s dream, having lots of people there listening to our music” (Approx. 2000 people attended the event). As for the future, she says, “We love playing in Beaufort and we are  expanding to Bluffton and beyond. Sometimes I play with a trio (me, Mac and Paul) and sometimes as the whole band, but I really love playing as a full band the most.”

The Brewer Band is known for their extensive and eclectic song list. When asked what songs she  particularly likes to sing with the band, Amanda thinks for a minute and says, “Definitely ‘These Boots are Made for Walking,’ is a song I never intended to do! Mac suggested it and I begrudgingly agreed to give it try and it was so much fun we added to our song list. The audience is why we play it, they just love it!”

She continues, “Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ is another favorite, because it is not an easy song for a vocalist and it’s challenging. I love to sing it and the band likes to see if I am going to be able to pull off the right notes! It is fresh every time we play it.”Although known for her vocal skills, Amanda also plays guitar and some piano or keyboard. She says, “I also dabble on drums although the Brewer Band guys say I play like Animal from the Muppets! I also own a mandolin and violin that I would love to learn to play someday soon.”

Band member Mac McClelland says, “Amanda is the rock star librarian! And the Brewer Band is the single best party band in South Carolina. We do everything from the Jackson 5 to Adele- including ‘Disco Inferno!”

Community

Amanda says, “I grew up in church and have always sung in church. I came across Contemporary Worship when I was in college, and found it was for me. I am the Worship Leader at my church, The Link, and I am honored to be using my gifts in a ministry setting.”

The Link is a 150 people congregation that meets at the YMCA in Port Royal Sundays at 10:30 AM. A contemporary church, services include a live band that plays worship songs, also known as contemporary Christian music. As a Worship Leader, Amanda says, “I am in charge of the band, which means I run practice, choose the songs, and I am also the lead singer. It is basically the same role as a choir director.” And there was an added benefit she says, “That’s how I met the members of my band, at church.”

Library Life

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (Speech Communication and Religion double major) from Charleston Southern University in 2004 and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of South Carolina in 2006, Amanda moved to  Beaufort to start her career as a reference librarian. She has been a Beaufortonian since 2007.

Currently she is the Reference Manager at the Bluffton branch and is keeping very busy. She says, “Right now we are getting Summer Reading programs ready for the whole  library system from Hilton Head to Beaufort. “ She adds, “Summer Reading programs are for all ages, we have an exciting program for kids, teens and adults. The theme this year is ‘Dig into Summer Reading,’ which is all about archeology and nature. The programs will include movies, lectures, and all kinds of interesting programs.”

Amanda just finished hosting a Downton Abbey Viewers Club, sponsored by The Friends of Bluffton Library. “We met every week and discussed the show and I made presentations on relevant topics such as funeral practices of the era, weddings of that time and so forth.  We had a season finale tea, which was a lot of fun!”

Unplugged

Musicians may play a lot of different music professionally but they often turn to one genre of music when they want to unwind.  Amanda says when she has down time, “I really like to listen to singer-songwriters. Give me a guitar and meaningful lyrics, just the music minus everything else. Patti Griffin, Bonnie Raitt and Mindy Smith are my favorites, that’s who I listen to time and time again, especially when I just want to relax. I like anything that is  ‘unplugged’ versus over produced bands.”

What’s Next?

Amanda would like to expand her musical talents to include songwriting. “I like the advice one of my favorite musicians, Edward McCain, said about songwriting. He said ‘write a bad song, an awful, cheesy song, just to get started.’ So I will try that advice because there are songs locked inside me, I just need a way to open that lock.” She laughs, “Maybe riding my motorcycle down the back roads will do it.”

You can follow Amanda and The Brewer Band at these links.

www.thebrewerband.com

www.facebook.com/thebrewerband

Story by Cindy Reid and photography by Paul Nurnberg for Beaufort Lifestyle magazine.

Published bi-monthly, Beaufort Lifestyle is a classy, sophisticated publication about the wonderful people, places and events of Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands. Grab your free copy at any one of 200 area locations or check it out online at http://www.beaufortlifestyle.com.

That won’t be stopping anytime soon.

One of the ‘perks’ of being selected the winner is the extreme honor of singing in the National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.  Candice will sing the National Anthem at the beginning of the concert that will be televised nationally on PBS on Sunday May 26th, at 8pm. 

Yep.  That’s a biggie.  It’s a long way from St. Helena Island.  But then again, it will be that way for a long time to come for Candice.  Her life has changed.  Forever. 

Watching it all unfold will be very exciting for us all.

The National Memorial Day Concert includes performances/appearances by Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, General Colin Powell, the National Symphony Orchestra, military bands and choruses, and a whole lot more.  The show is also seen overseas by U.S. military personnel in over 175 countries and aboard over 200 U.S. Navy ships at sea on American Forces Radio and TV.

A Capitol Fourth: America’s Independence Day Celebration  is America’s favorite Independence Day celebration and features unrivaled performances from some of the country’s best-known musical artists, topped off by what is usually considered to be the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation.

In the past 30 years, “A Capitol Fourth”, has seen a parade of superstars in appearance including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Josh Groban, Reba McEntire, Barry Manilow, Gloria Estefan and even those amazing Muppets…and now it’s Candice Glover’s turn.

Candice will return to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building to perform in the concert on July 4th, which is also aired live on PBS from 8 to 930pm.

We can’t wait.  It’s almost as if there’s a little piece of every one of us there with her.

Wearing my favorite date night attire and actually wearing make up for a change, my husband, Mr. Foodie, and I head across the Woods Memorial Bridge, to a charming little eatery known as Plums Restaurant. A Bay Street establishment known for their large oyster bar as seen through a large streetside picture window, and a beautiful back porch on which to dine, Plums exudes a hip and modern vibe as soon as you walk in (but not in any way pretentious). I almost feel like I should hear finger snaps and an upright bass plucking away as we walk in, but I quickly shake off the notion as we head to our ‘back porch’ table. On an early May night with low humidity and a cool breeze, one would be crazy to not take in the gorgeous view of the Beaufort River, Waterfront Park, and of course the amazing sunset.

A very friendly waitress greeted us with menus and a big ol’ dose of southern charm, and before I can order my adult beverage, Mr. Foodie delightedly pipes up to say “Ohhhhh, fish tacos!” …and I know that our first course has been decided.

We quickly receive our drinks and place our entrée orders, and precede to… just… breathe. We revel in the tranquility, the reprieve from the rush and the go and ‘hurry up and wait’ of life. We smile at each other, sit back, breathe in the evening air, continue our normal witty back-and-forth banter, and let the ambiance that Plums offers envelop us.  An ambiance that so many restaurants either try too hard to achieve and never do, or don’t bother to include along with their daily specials. Ambiance can make you or break you. It sets the mood and the mind and builds the anticipation for what’s to come.

And what comes, does so in no time at all.

Placed before us are two steaming-hot Fish Tacos. Lightly-breaded mahi placed upon a slaw,  tossed with a cilantro-chipotle remoulade and rounded out with a warm, ever so slightly toasted corn tortilla and two slices of lime. A wonderful, amuse bouche sized portion for two. Or, in other words, perfection! Sure, one would look at the simplistic qualities of the dish and think, “So what?” But, as I’ve said before, food needn’t always be a complex, multi-level thing to be successful. It can be simple and clean-cut, and as long as it’s flavorful and rounded and good overall… it succeeds.

We toast our limes together (because, well, we’re just silly like that), squeeze them onto the fish, wrap it up and dive right in. What awaits our tongues is nothing short of brilliant. The crispy fish flakes as soon as you bite into it, revealing the tender, delicate flesh within, signifying that it was pulled off the fire at the perfect time. The lightness of the fish is complimented well by the somewhat spicy counterpoint of the slaw. Not overwhelmingly spicy, but a nice kick to awaken your taste buds and get you energized. The tortilla, again, an exciting touch; crisped enough as to not become soggy from the slaw, and, if I have failed to mention, it’s a CORN TORTILLA! Outside of a better-than-decent Mexican restaurant or a large, multi-cultural metropolitan area, it is very, very, unusual to find corn tortillas as an option, let alone a central part of any dish; so authentic and a wonderful change of pace from the over-used flour tortilla of the standard US interpretation of south-of-the-border fare. The squeeze from our single slice of lime complements all the flavors and the overall ambiance that the dish tries to communicate.

We finish our appetizer and let our lips tingle from delicious spices, and before long, the main event is placed before us; Shrimp and Grits for my husband, and Sesame-crusted Yellowfin Tuna for myself.  We waste no time and dig in.

Now, I am a kind, polite lady (and quasi-southerner), so I graciously allow my Mr. Foodie 5-8 bites of his meal before I maneuver my fork and steal a large hill of gravy-covered grits. The smell of smoke and bacon waft upward and please my sense of smell, but, upon tasting, only hit a triple and not a homer. The gravy was, surprisingly, much more restrained and timid than anticipated. Don’t get me wrong, it was earthy and rich, but just missing that one thing, perhaps more pepper or a dash of cayenne, to take it from one to two dimensional. However, the bacon was wonderfully free of chewy fat, and the shrimp were plump, juicy and perfectly cooked, and, beside the need for a little more cream, the grits were salty and smooth.
A hearty dish of southern comfort food and a side of a southern sunset place the dish into the feel-good category for the evening.

The allure of yummy shrimp notwithstanding, I didn’t hesitate long before jumping into my dish; A beautifully presented assortment of sliced sesame crusted yellowfin, with marinated and grilled zucchini and squash and a small portion of jasmine rice, all resting on a roasted red pepper coulis (‘coulis’ being just another word for ‘fancy puree’). A straightforward dish with uncomplicated elements, and it resonates on all levels. The fish is perfectly seared on the outside with a lovely raw finish, and the wonderful nuttiness of the sesame contrasts with the saltiness of the fish in a lovely way. A few bites into the crunchy veggies offer a soy-base flavor; the ying to the the yellowfin’s yang. A bite of delectable sticky rice (and I’m a sucker for sticky rice) which is properly used to mop up the red pepper coulis, and this dish is complete.
What is, basically, a deconstructed sushi roll with premium ingredients pleases the palette and fills you up without making you feel as though you need to be rolled out of the restaurant upon tipping your waitress.

Tummies full and hesitant to bring our date night to an end just yet, we continued to bathe in the wonderful ambience that Plums seems to always have ‘on special’. The breeze, the creeks and groans from the plankwood floor beneath our feet, the shaded view of downtown Beaufort’s Waterfront Park, and the playful drama of watching the cat from Luther’s Rare & Well Done next door chase a squirrel up an old oak tree (yes you read that correctly, and I’m not making it up either).
The charm of Plums is the same charm that is Beaufort itself, and it helps to make one feel that, even if “y’all” wasn’t instilled in your vocabulary from infancy, if grits had to become an acquired taste, or if the fact that a pound of fresh, local shrimp only costs about seven bucks seems too good to be true…you are welcomed here, and you are, truly, home.

It is with a full and contented tummy that this Foodie very happily bestows a 4½ fork review upon Plums.

Candice was overcome with emotion following her victory. “I can’t even… oh, my god,” she said through tears. “Three years.”

We’re not going to write an article about this.  You were there.  You have been following this for four months.  You cried just like us.
You feel it too.

Congrats Candice, we’re all so proud of you.

Tonight on the show, Candice will perform ‘Chasing Pavements’ by Adele, ‘I (Who Have Nothing)’ by Ben E. King (Reprise), and I Am Beautiful’ (Coronation Single).

It should be another stellar performance from St. Helena’s favorite girl.

Be a part of making HER dream come true.

After the performance, don’t forget to vote.  Vote online, on your phone, and any way you can.  You can actually vote a total of 1000+ times in the allotted two hour voting window by hitting re-dial repeatedly on your cell phone from 10pm through midnight.  We know… We’ve done it!  It’s so important that everyone cast as many votes as possible.

In an email from Tuesday, Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling has committed to voting no less than 250 times for Candice tonight by himself.  Please join him in doing so.

The finale show will be from 8 to 10:07pm on Thursday, and you can join the whole town under the stars along with Candice’s siblings, grandparents and her church-family at the Preserve at Port Royal for an American Idol Finale Party.
Enjoy food from local vendors Bricks On Boundary, Carolina Wings, and free cupcakes from Crave CupCake Boutique, face painting for the kids and more.
Mark Robertson and 98.7 The River will be there, along with regional news media, and Candice’s family is also scheduled to attend.

Vote for Candice!  Vote A LOT!

For tons of local stuff, hundreds of photos, videos and more visit our Candice Glover page.

Join The Preserve along with members of Candice’s family, your local neighbors, residents and local businesses in an opportunity to view the show together, free of charge, on a huge blow-up screen located in front of the Preserve at Port Royal apartment community.

This is one heck of a screen too.  At 40 feet long and a couple of stories high, it’s going to be quite the behemoth, and should make viewing easy for all.

Spectators are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets as this will be an exciting outdoor event.  Local vendors will be on hand with food and beverages available from Crave Cupcake Boutique, Bricks on Boundary, Carolina Wings, Port Royal Pizza Hut and more.
(and free cupcakes too!)

Event parking will be located at Heritage Skate Park, Port Royal Baptist Church and Royal Oaks Shopping Center.  Shuttle service to the viewing party will be provided by O.C. Welch Ford and Lincoln.  Return trips will begin at the end of the telecast.

Members of Candice’s family and several local and state dignitaries are scheduled to attend.

The festivities will begin at 6pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013 and last until the end of the American Idol telecast.

Radio station 98.7 The River will broadcast live from the screening beginning at 7pm on Thursday with Mark Robertson emceeing the evening.   WTOC, an affiliate of CBS, is scheduled to provide local coverage of the event and other news media from Columbia to Savannah will also be present.

Visit http://www.987theriver.com for even more info!

Sponsored by Eat Sleep Play Beaufort, 98.7 The River, The Greenery, O.C. Welch Ford and Lincoln, AC Limousine and Shuttle, Klean Karpets, Felver Design Studio and Amazing Event Rentals.

As this Mother’s Day arrives, I’ve been reflecting on some of the ways my mother has helped shape me as a woman, and also as a new mother.

Motherhood is a Calling, Not a Hobby

For as long as I can remember, my mom always loved being a mother. Right after my mom graduated from UNC, Chapel Hill, she married my dad, a graduate of Boston College. Shortly after they were married, they got pregnant with my oldest brother, Jeremy. From the moment he was born, my mom decided to stay home to take care of him. A few years later, they had my brother Jordan, then I was born, then my brother Grant, and lastly, my brother Jameson. Because my parents had five children (4 of those being boys!) our home was definitely a loud and rambunctious place.

The memories I have of my growing up years are some of my absolute favorite. My parents made our home a safe place, a place where we were taught to work hard, where we were corrected when we strayed, and where we were celebrated as unique children created by God. My parents were a team when it came to raising us, but since I’m writing about my mom, I’m going to focus on what I learned from her. I never once doubted my mom’s love, because she showed me that every day. The neighborhood children would often come and play after school at our house, because many of their mothers weren’t home. My mom would play out in the yard with us, be the referee in races, talk with us about life issues, and of course make us cookies. Several times I heard one of my friends tell my mom, “I wish you were my mother.” I just remember thinking, “I’m so glad she’s mine.”

My mom fully embraced her calling as a mother. She didn’t mind being known as “her kid’s mom.” She always viewed it as the most important job in the world and told us that there was nothing that she would rather do than invest in our lives. And that’s what she did. My brothers and I weren’t ranked low on a list of other things that were more important to my mom. While my mom made sure that we weren’t the center of attention all the time, we never felt like we had to compete for her time or affection. Mothering isn’t the kind of job that produces a tangible monetary salary.

Spending days at home while raising children rarely receives accolades or applause from the outside world. But there’s a much smaller world that will one day be thankful for it.

The Little Moments Matter

When I think back on my childhood, I remember so many little things. I remember my mom rocking me in the old blue rocker that used to sit in my parents’ bedroom. I can still here the “click, click, click” noise that it made as it moved back and forth along with the soft hum of my mom’s voice. I remember my mom helping me learn new things – like how to ride a bike and how to read. I remember her celebrating those joyous achievements with me and encouraging me as I struggled along the way.

I remember calling home once when I was spending the night at a friend’s house. I was homesick and just wanted to come back home. It was near midnight, but my mom drove over and picked me up. It was in these little moments that I especially felt loved. These were moments when I really needed my mom, and she was there for me. As a mother of a one-year-old now, I treasure these moments too.

When I used to get up in the middle of the night to feed my infant daughter, I would remind myself that this moment mattered, no matter how tired I was. When I talk to my daughter about things that I’m not sure she yet understands, I know that I am helping her to develop into the person that she will one day be. That’s not something that I ever want to take lightly. I’m so happy that I witnessed firsthand her discovering her hands and feet for the first time, hearing her say her first word, and watching her finally figure out how to crawl down the stairs backwards. These are little things, yet they matter so much. It’s these little moments that make up life, and I don’t want to miss them.

You Are Fully Equipped to be a Mother

I’ll never forget the moment when the doctor handed me my little girl just seconds after she was born. No mother ever forgets that moment. It’s unlike any other.

One moment you are the person you’ve always been, and the next moment you are keenly aware that you have forever changed. When my husband and I brought our 6lbs 7oz daughter home for the first time, we laid her on the bed to change her diaper. When I saw how absolutely tiny she was, I started to cry. I suddenly became completely overwhelmed at the reality that this little person was utterly dependent on me in every way. I began to doubt whether I was capable of such a huge task. As I battled my tears, the words that I’d heard my mother say countless times to other young women echoed in my mind, “God has fully equipped you to be the mother that your child needs.” As I watched my tiny little girl squirm and cry on the bed, I picked her up and cuddled her in my arms. She stopped crying and I found courage, knowing that I was what she needed.

Because of my mother, I know in the crazy moments, in the hard moments, and in the very best of moments, that there is no better mother for my child than me. I am not a perfect mother, and even though I may stumble along the way, I don’t have to doubt whether or not I was “cut out” to be a mom.

Embrace the Calling of Motherhood; Don’t Struggle Against It

There are hard days being a mom. There just are. There are days when kids get sick, they don’t take naps, they have meltdowns in public, or things just generally get chaotic. But I learned from my mom, that in order to be a wonderful mother, you have to embrace it whole-heartedly. You can’t be the mom your child needs while constantly wishing you were somewhere else. I’ve heard my mom say so many times, “Don’t get distracted,” and “No one has to be upset but the baby,” and “Take it in stride.” And really, it’s like that with anything. If you don’t embrace the challenge with open arms, you will experience discontentment that leads to bitterness.

My mom has also told me many times that, “Anything worth doing is hard.” What if we as mothers stopped struggling to be something else other than what we are? What if we embraced the joys along with the hard times of motherhood instead of struggling to be or do something else? Motherhood is humbling and it does take sacrifice. Yet as I’ve learned from my mom, those who are willing to walk that road will reap great rewards.

About five years ago, when my brother Jeremy was working for former President George W. Bush, my parents were invited to the Oval Office to meet him. The President greeted my dad, but then went straight to my mom and said, “You have done a wonderful job raising your son.” I know it meant so much to my mom that the President of the United States was commending her as a mother. Those years that she had spent changing diapers and teaching her children had somehow landed her in front of the leader of the free world. But as much as his words encouraged her, she didn’t need to hear them to know that her calling was important. She had always believed that. And because she believed that and practiced it, I believe it too. All four of my brothers and I are grown up now and have moved out of the house. My brother Jeremy is married with two children and is studying at Harvard Law School. My brother Jordan is married with four children and a graduate of Harvard Business School. My brother Grant is about to graduate from Officer Candidate School as a United States Marine, and my brother Jameson is at the University of South Carolina studying to work in politics one day.

And me?

Well, I’m a mother, just like my mom.  And there’s nothing else I’d rather be.

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