When we found out we were expecting our second daughter, the excitement was immediate. We had wanted this, dreamed about it, and imagined what it would be like to have another little girl in our family. But alongside the joy, a wave of worries slowly crept in.

What if the change was too big? What if our oldest struggled to adapt? For seven years, she had been our only one—our first everything. Would she feel left out? Would she resent the shift in attention? The thought of balancing my love and time between two children kept me up at night.

Pregnancy was filled with these what-ifs, but the moment our youngest was born, everything just clicked. Our oldest fell in love instantly. She became the most doting big sister, rushing home from school just to give her baby sister a hug. She wanted to include her in everything—storytime, playtime, even imaginary tea parties where the baby, of course, had the most special seat at the table.

Looking back, I realize I spent so much time worrying about something that never even became an issue. My love didn’t need to be divided; it simply grew. Our oldest didn’t feel replaced—she felt important, needed, and more loved than ever in her new role as a big sister.

The seven-year gap that once felt like a challenge turned out to be a gift. She is old enough to understand, to help, and to truly cherish this new bond. And as I watch them together, I know with certainty—this was always how it was meant to be.

Motherhood is full of doubts, but sometimes, the things we fear the most turn out to be the most beautiful surprises.