At one point in time, women would gather together to empower and support one another as they stepped into the role of bearing and raising children. This rite of passage into motherhood was tribe life, deeply ingrained, and passed down from culture to culture, generation to generation, and woman to woman. In Native American tradition (Dine Navajo to be accurate), a ceremony called a Blessingway created space to come together as a support circle for the expecting mother, and bless the way ahead for her. It is a web woven of the most trusted and cherished women in her life.

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A Blessingway is also a great opportunity to include the father/partner. They, too, get to have people offer them advice, love, support, and shower them with the joyfulness and excitement of having a child. I felt it was such a beautiful experience, having had a baby shower with all of my closest girlfriends, sister, and mother, to then watch my husband receive everyone’s attention, praise, and love, alongside me.