November 21, 2013 is the day several years ago that the kid music landscape changed. 

The music video for “Happy” by Pharrell was released. 

We saw him cry on the internet because he could never imagine that his music could or would be so moving to so many people.  

I hated it. 

I thought the track was over-hyped and I got sick of everyone singing it. IT WAS EVERYWHERE.  

Then I saw Despicable Me and the song had context. It softened my heart and I began to like the song. Or I would at least let it play when I heard it on the radio. 

2016 is when I started my career as a children’s librarian and my supervisor would play the song at story time and watching their collective happiness gave me a new perspective on the song. Watching a group full of toddlers, their caregivers and grandparents sing and dance to happy does something to your spirit. I felt like The Grinch the day his heart grew three sizes.  

All of this was WAY before I was ever able to dance with my daughter or share the energy I have been sharing with my story time crew for the past two years.  It began with a Friday night mommy & me dance party the track list was just baby shark on repeat for about 20 minutes. After we were baby shark wasted I just queued up the Spotify playlist: 

Pop 4 Kids 

We listened to Baby Shark again because how could we not, but then the list shuffled and Happy played. 

She had a quizzical look on her face but once Pharrell and I started singing she lit up and just danced. 

And danced. 

And 

Danced. 

Y’all.  

My heart danced. 

My Soul danced. 

My baby and I, 

We danced. 

I’ve been waiting on this moment for a very long time. In that moment, I realized just how much I love The Kid. I realized I love being her mother. I realize I love my unique little family.  

And I am happy.  

Truly embracing motherhood has been a struggle for me. I recognize this but sometimes you gotta get barefoot, take the scarf off, grab your baby, and dance. 

And in that moment, 

You will be happy. Even if for a little while. 

And that’s okay. 

Parents & Non-Parents:
Take time for a little moment of happy today.  

Dassit, 

Lina.