The Mom Series: A Husband’s Letter to His Wife on Mother’s Day

By Kenneth Tousley III (Sarissa Melissa Photography’s husband & business partner)

“An Open Letter To My Wife on Mother’s Day”

A year ago on Mother’s Day, we were scared as hell. We had been married less than a year, together a little over 4 years, and already expecting our son Henry in a few short weeks. Everything was changing and was going to keep changing afterwards. How are we going to take care of this baby boy? Are we good enough to be parents?

Then I thought back to when you and I first met. When we met, we were almost completely different people. I was a scruffy college guy with no grand plans beyond graduation and you were a cute, creative soul who listened to heavy music and loved horror movies. I was so afraid of commitment that I even balked at using the terms “boyfriend and girlfriend” when we had been going out exclusively for 3 months! Crazy right?

Over the coming months and years, I got to know you more and more. I watched you grow your photography business from the ground up, with nobody showing you how to do it. I saw how big your heart is. How you just want to bring joy to everyone around you and try every new experience. At the same time, I saw you grow into a more determined, motivated and ambitious person not only in your business, but in our relationship.

I knew that you deserved everything I could give and that if there ever was a person I could see myself getting old and having children with, it was you.

Two months after we got married, we found out that we were pregnant. That’s when you became laser focused on taking your photography business to the next level and being as healthy as possible for our little boy. So healthy that I had to “save” you from all the treats people kept giving you.

You booked so many shoots before Henry was born that I had to slow you down! After he was born, we both felt our bond grow stronger as we learned, made mistakes and lost sleep together with our wonderful son. I saw how becoming a mother deepened your commitment to living our best possible lives.

When the new year came, you said “No more excuses. I have to make this business thrive for all of us but now I need you to help me do this.” Most people have no idea about how hard it is for you to let people into the inner workings of your business. It is probably one of the scariest things you’ve ever done and you’ve rappelled off buildings! Being a part of this adventure with you never gets old and I love chasing this dream of ours together.

You’ve grown so much as a woman, photographer, business owner, and mother that I have to stop typing or I may end up with a short novel.

Today, there are still new challenges but we have become a stronger couple through learning how to be parents, together. Every year that passes I feel like our relationship gains more depth and meaning and you have never amazed me more than you have as the best mom in the world.

Love, your husband.