This is part of a series introducing you to all the 2013 State Young Mothers of the Year from American Mothers, Inc. Read more of the series here.

Kim is a delight. She is funny and makes you feel good when you are around her. She is a freelance writer who has written for Reuters, Gannett, the Associated Press and publications such as the News Journal, PARADE Magazine and Delaware Beach Life. Kim was in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope to cover the change over from US to United Nations forces and what Delawareans were doing as part of those efforts. Kim volunteers with her church and several child based non-profits. She enjoys writing, cooking, knitting, painting and reading when she gets a chance. One thing about Kim – she is on of those lucky gals who looks perpetually young. Seriously, I won’t give away her age but she’s at least 10 years older than I am but looks younger than me!

Why is motherhood important to you? Did you always want to be a mother?
Motherhood is important because parenting counts. It defines the generation to come and those for the future since don’t we all become our mothers at some point. When I was young becoming a mother was something I assumed would happen, I took it for granted. It was years later that I realized I really wanted to be a mother not just the recipient of a biological gift.

What is the biggest lesson your children have taught you?
That you can be completely wrong even when you are technically right.

What has given you the most joy as a mother? 
Having my daughter come snuggle next to me in bed in a full body hug is the most perfect peaceful feeling of love I’ve ever felt.

Do you have any family traditions? Which one is your absolute favorite?
Every night we all get into our daughter’s bed and read a story and talk about our day. It’s the best conversations we have.

What is/was your favorite book to read to your children?
“I’ll love you Forever” – really any book by Robert Munsch.

“I am honored to be here and honored to be Delaware’s Young Mother of the Year. Of course the greatest honor is having a curly headed little girl call me, “Mommy.”

“Of course it wasn’t certain that I’d be a mother. I always thought having children would be a normal natural, Honey guess what kind of thing – but it wasn’t. It took four years, three operations, the miracle of modern medicine and the grace of God to conceive our daughter. A month before she was due I was rushed to the hospital for an emergency c-section. Lydia was born only able to use about 25-percent of her lungs. After 24 hours of gasping for breath she was flown to a NICU an hour from our house where, I’m told she crashed and they just barely saved her life.

“My obstetrician came in the next morning and said he wanted me to stay in the hospital another day. My reply, “My daughter was just flown to Christiana. You can either discharge me or find me.”

“I bet every mother in the room would have given the same answer.

“It was a grueling stay, as any parent who’s had a sick child knows. For weeks I sat at her side as she was put on a breathing apparatus and pumped full of drugs they said could blind her, deafen her and give her learning disabilities. Then they told us she wasn’t making any progress and if that didn’t change soon, well… They never said it, but it was clear that death was in the waiting room.

“That night I thanked God for every second I had with Lydia, and released her to Him. I knew she wasn’t mine but His. I never felt more at peace. That night she turned the corner and made such rapid progress, that she was released a week later.

“I tell you this not so you think I’m strong or crazy, but because I think it gives a picture of motherhood in it entirety.

“You do what you can, but ultimately it’s out of your hands and you have to let them go.

“Being a mother isn’t a job, it’s who you are and it impacts everything you do. You are strong and weak; bold, and terrified all at the same time when it comes to your children.

“I’ve seen mothers start play groups, build schools, address the legislature and take on burly foul mouthed construction workers to benefit their children. We do these things not just for our children, but for all children, because once you are a mother, you’re everybody’s mother.

“My daughter knows that if she ever gets lost not to look for a police officer, but a mother with children who will most likely go into full mother bear protection mode immediately.

“As Napoleon said, “The future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother.”

“We work to build them up, try to fill them with values and work ethic and then have to stand back and let them go.

“Some will be great leaders, scientists, philosophers and some will simply be good people and good parents.

“And for that, we should be intensely proud.”