This is the story of a single mom. It’s brave. It’s complex. It’s valid. It’s inspiring. It’s Crystal Pudelko.

Crystal was not planning on having a baby. At least, not now. Not necessarily like this, with this person.

And yet, somehow, here she was, in this impossible, unpredictable situation.  Knowing that if she had this baby, she would be doing it alone. Yes, the father would have the opportunity to be involved, but day in and day out, minute after minute, second after second, SHE would be this baby’s primary caregiver…

…SHE would forevermore be “Mom.”

According to Crystal herself, “it was a good 5 or 6 months into pregnancy” when she finally “came to terms with the fact” that this was her new reality. And as you can tell from her opening quote, it was an emotional journey.

But months later as she held Davis, her brand-new baby boy, in her arms, staring in surprise and wonder at how simply perfect he was, she realized that her heart was capable of loving so much more than she ever knew before.

{At this point, I’m going to interject my own thoughts. Crystal and I had been what the kids these days refer to as “Facebook Friends.” We didn’t really know each other in reality, but knew a lot of the same people, worked in the same town, and had a lot of similar connections. We also both happened to give birth to healthy baby boys within just a couple of months of each other. Watching Crystal navigate the insane world of new motherhood via social media was simply…awe-inspiring. She took on her role of new, single mom with grace, perseverance, and resilience. Meanwhile, I felt as though sometimes I could barely pull myself together, and I had a built-in relief person in my husband! }

Truly, how DOES she do it?!

Well, we asked!

“I’m just figuring life out stage by stage,” she answered when we asked how she seemed to so seamlessly take on the role of single mom. “It’s true. I have to be a mom 100% of the time. But I also have a lot of support from my family, and from his father’s family.”

And WHO is Crystal, beyond a mom?

“Honestly, I’m still on a journey of finding who I am….my friend group has definitely changed.” Crystal loves her work (um...ALSO inspiring! How many of us talk like that about our job?!) She’s also taken on the role of cheerleading coach, and finds immense joy teaching her group of girls.

As for how she makes single motherhood look so easy on social media?

“Just come to the house on a random Tuesday to see what mom-life REALLY is like.”

…Girl. We feel you.

Thank you, Crystal. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us. Thank you for being an amazing role model, not only to all of us as mothers, but also to your incredible little boy. We’re all incredibly blessed to have you.

Photographer: Megan Hansen Photography

Location: Shades of Teal

Apparel: Self Love Beauty

Hair: Reckless Hair

Make-up: Adrienne Stratton