Over the past several weeks, we have seen many of Virginia’s students wrap up their high school and college careers. Far from the fanfare and fun-filled celebrations they spent their lives envisioning (and we, as their parents and family, planning for), the Class of 2020 found their final moments dramatically altered as schools closed and social interaction came to a screeching halt. And yet, thanks to the ingenuity and dedication of school staff, many of these students were honored through virtual ceremonies, drive-through graduation celebrations, and socially-distanced diploma presentations. But, the sting is still there.

Today, we want to acknowledge and honor the Class of 2020, not only for their accomplishments, but also their resilience, with the words of a poignantly crafted original song by incoming VCU freshman, Austyn Nowell.

Nowell, 18, is himself a recent graduate from Charlottesville High School. A long time member of the school’s theater and musical theater department, Nowell, perfectly captures the feelings that so many seniors, whether in high school or college, have experienced this year.

His opening words set the stage as he sings, “I won’t ask you to forget / All the moments passed / Never meant to come / Just like you, I’m feeling it / Incomplete, like I wasn’t done.” Which is exactly what so many of our students have felt – like a significant chapter of their lives was suddenly redacted. We have grieved alongside them, doing our best to make the moments special, but feeling our own loss as their time-honored rite of passage became a an amended version of what should have been.

However, while acknowledging the losses, Nowell also offers inspiration and hope, reminding the Class of 2020 in the chorus that, “You still earned it / So you deserve it.” And we couldn’t agree more. Nowell’s song reminds his fellow students – and everyone – that crossing this threshold, no matter how it looks, still matters; and most importantly, this is far from the end, but rather a bright new beginning.

Nowell plans to attend VCU this fall as a member of the theater department with a major in lighting design and we know that while he may not have had the senior year he expected, his obvious talent, strength, and positivity will take him far. Today, we stand with Nowell and all of his fellow graduates as they enter the next chapter of their lives. After all, they have most certainly earned it and they deserve nothing but the best!

Congratulations, Class of 2020! 

For more heartwarming and inspirational videos like this one, be sure to visit our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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Every day, new report pops us with a new set of quarantine rules that may be the same as the one the day before, unless, of course, it’s the exact opposite. This has left most of us in a tailspin, wanting to keep our families safe, but having no idea what quarantine rules are the right ones to follow. In the end, we have to trust the experts (once we figure out who they are) and do our best to make sure that we’re not only doing our part to keep ourselves safe, but also those around us. It’s a lot to process.

This is, of course, a very serious subject. But as they say, “laughter is the best medicine,” so naturally, when we saw this hilarious video from Jamie Kent Carver on Facebook, we had to share…as soon as we stopped laughing long enough to actually get around to it!

In the following video, Carver offers us a mock press conference outlining quarantine rules and regulations…unless they’re not actually quarantine rules, except in the cases where, of course, they are. You get the idea. All we can say is that this is quarantainment at it’s finest!

So, if you’re wondering what quarantine rules to follow, let Jamie Kent Carver answer the tough questions for you in this all-too-accurate “press conference.” You may just learn a thing or two…unless you don’t…but either way, you’ll get a good laugh, guaranteed!

For more funny videos like this one, be sure to check out our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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Needless to say, when she decides to take on the challenges of quarantine in one of her most recent episodes, we found it to be everything we needed to hear. Featuring compilations of previous shows, hilarious video clips, and a special quarantine check-in with new mom, Ashley Graham, Kristen Bell pretty much sums it all up. This is hard. Homeschooling is the pits. It’s perfectly acceptable to drink rosé from a mug. Last but not least…well, let’s just say, “There’s more than one way to make a facemask.” But you’ll have to watch for yourself to see what we mean!

If quarantine has got you climbing the walls and you’re searching for a laugh, then grab a mug of rosé, sit back, and let Kristen Bell make it all better with a little bit of #momsplaining! Enjoy!

For more funny videos like this one, be sure to check out our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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This is a big week. We’ve already given a shout out to our front line healthcare workers in honor of National Nurses Week – but this past week was also Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8). And with hordes of new “homeschool” families across the country thanks to mandatory school closures, there’s not a parent alive who doesn’t have a new found appreciation for teachers. I mean, really. But, for all you mothers out there, let’s not forget that tomorrow, Sunday, May 10, is also Mother’s Day, bringing us to the end of a week jam-packed with appreciation for our “everyday heroes.”

Today, we wanted to shine a special spotlight on teachers and mothers, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with the hilarious mom-duo of Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley, the creators of the hit YouTube channel #IMomSoHard and now, the New York Times bestselling book, I Book So Hard. These two have been making us laugh at ourselves (and with each other) for years with their comically brilliant insights and observations of mothers and motherhood. This week, their latest installation, I Appreciate Teachers So Hard, not only reminds us of why teachers are our new favorite people, but offers us a chance to commiserate with other mothers and remember that this staying home/working/homeschooling stuff is HARD, y’all.

From trying to maintain schedules to keeping track of the 15,000 scholastic websites and passwords our kids now need (all while attempting to conduct Zoom meetings for work), the #IMomSoHard team gives us the perfect chance to feel undying gratitude for all of you hardworking teachers out there – but also to raise a glass (or two) and offer a huge thank you to the mothers out there who are making it happen day after day.

So, as we look towards Mother’s Day tomorrow and back at Teacher Appreciation Week this past week, we want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. And now, if all of the homework is behind you for the weekend, we encourage all of you mothers (and teachers) out there to grab a cup of tea or pour a glass of wine, give yourself a pat on the back, and most of all, have a good laugh with us!

(And you teachers, especially, be sure to stick around until the end for a personal message from Kristen and Jen!)

For more funny videos like this one, be sure to visit our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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While a large number of families homeschooled even before the COVID-19 crisis, many of us find that we’ve been tossed in the deep end, so to speak, when it comes to teaching our kids at home. That means that we’re trying to figure out what homeschooling is all about while simultaneously giving ourselves a crash course on common core math. In fact, if you were already a homeschooling family, it’s likely you’ve heard from more than one long-lost friend in desperate need of advice.

If you find yourselves wondering what on earth you’re doing (*author quietly raises hand), then you’ll appreciate today’s video straight from the It’s A Southern Thing comedy team. From trying to make schedules to understanding how to divy up lessons (who’s better at history…who’s better at math…is it either of you??), this hilarious look at parents homeschooling in the midst of quarantine is absolute #truth.

You’ll have to watch it for yourself, but let’s just say that if anything close to the phrase “Mom’s talking to herself in the bathroom? Leave her alone, she’s just having a parent-teacher conference,” has been uttered in your home over the last month, you’re going to appreciate knowing that you’re not alone!

Check out It’s a Southern Thing’s hilarious peek into the world of homeschooling during quarantine and just remember all of the teachers and educators out there – from homeschooling families to classroom heroes. You’re DEFINITELY going to want to get them more than just a Bath & Body Works candle for Christmas next year…

For more funny videos like this one, be sure to visit our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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In his solo performance, performed live on YouTube in the majestically beautiful, but hauntingly empty cathedral, Bocelli beautifully and eloquently delivers a message of love, healing and hope  – to Italy and the world. Like the rest of the world, Italy has been hit hard by the Coronovirus pandemic. With so much loss and upheaval, it’s easy to feel hopeless, but this beautiful gift of music from Bocelli reminds us of how much beauty and love still surrounds us.

Andrea Bocelli is one of the Italy’s most famed and iconic opera singers, songwriters, and music producers. The now 61-year old performer was born with poor eyesight, but became completely blind at the age of 12. Two years later at the age 14, he won his first singing competition. Now, nearly 50 years later, Bocelli continues to grace the world with his ethereal talent, proving that he does not need eyesight to see – or make – beauty in the world.

If your soul needs a pick-me-up during these troubled times, take a moment to enjoy this truly breathtaking performance. The concert originally played live at 1pm EST, but can be replayed anytime. The set list includes:

Panis Angelicus (from “Messe Solennelle” Op. 12, FWV 61) César Franck  

Ave Maria, CG 89a (arr. from Johann Sebastian Bach, “Prelude” no. 1, BWV 846) Charles-François Gounod  

Sancta Maria (arr. from “Cavalleria Rusticana”, Intermezzo) Pietro Mascagni  

Domine Deus (from “Petite Messe Solennelle”) Gioachino Antonio Rossini

Amazing Grace John Newton

To download the music and sing along, click here.

For more heartwarming videos like this one, be sure to visit the entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom.

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You don’t have to look far to find reasons to panic these days. The simple fact is that there’s not much to laugh about in the world at the moment. Social media, news channels, TV reports, and so on are filled with updates and statistics that only make us worry more. But as the old adage goes, laughter is the best medicine – and in times like these, we need to find reasons to laugh, even if it’s only at ourselves. Fortunately, the Dude Dad is on board. And his latest online skit showing a parody of wives in quarantine is the perfect chance to have a laugh.

The Dude Dad, aka, Taylor Calmus, is a comedian and actor who turned his notable talents to documenting the life of a father and husband after his first child was born in 2016. His weekly vlog, Dude Dad, is filled with hilarious snapshots of the constantly shifting lives we lead as parents. And that makes him more than prepared to take a look at this brave new world we’re living in – social distancing and family quarantine.

While the following skit is entitled “My Wife in Quarantine,” there’s no doubt the scenes and sentiments he plays out feel MORE than universal right now. From the over ambitious re-organizing plans to those oh-so-tempting quarantine snacks, Calmus offers a little humor in a dire situation. I mean after all, if we can’t laugh at ourselves right now, what else can we do? (Other than rearrange the furniture, learn to play piano, read books, etc…you get the point.) But for now, go ahead and grab some quarantine snacks, sit back, and have a good laugh!

For more funny videos like this one, be sure to visit our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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With all that’s going on in the world right now, it’s hard to see past the fear and anxiety surrounding us. It’s now more than ever that we need to be reminded of all the good that still remains in the world. That’s why we love stories of kindness like the one we’re sharing with you today. It all began when two high school football players realized that a freshman at their school in Memphis, Tennessee, was being bullied for wearing the same clothes every day. And instead of standing quietly by, they decided to do something about it.

This past fall, Kristopher Graham and Antwann Garrett had just started back to school. Michael Todd, a freshman who only recently moved to the Memphis area, quickly became the target of ridicule when he showed up to school day after day wearing the same clothes. Graham, who admits to laughing along with the bullies in the beginning, soon realized what was happening was wrong and he started looking for a way to apologize that would include an act of kindness to make up for his part in the teasing. After reaching out to his buddy and football teammate, Garrett, the boys decided to surprise Todd with some new clothes and shoes.

After putting the gift together, the boys pulled Todd aside one day in the hallway to present him with the new clothes. After a friend videoed the interaction and posted it online, the video went viral for the sheer kindness that it showed. Not only was it viewed by millions online, but it caught the attention of some big-name celebrities, as well, including Ellen DeGeneres who invited all three of the boys onto her show.

The boys were clearly thrilled to be on the show, but little did they know that Ellen had a few more surprises up her sleeve – the first of which was a visit from none other than Will Smith, who had also seen the boys’ act of kindness online and wanted to acknowledge the importance of what they had done. In talking to the boys, Smith said,” What you did felt small to you, but I promise you, this is exactly how human beings are supposed to interact with one another.” He went on to tell the boys that they already know the most important thing in life – kindness matters.

As we face uncertainty in the coming weeks – maybe even months – let’s learn from Graham and Garrett and remember that a small act of kindness on our part can have effects that are immeasurable to someone else. We hope you’ll enjoy this video as much as we did – and remember #bekind!

For more heartwarming videos like this one, be sure to check out our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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Today, we’re going to celebrate Nia Dennis, a junior at UCLA and a member of the gymnastics team. On February 27, 2020, she competed in a home meet at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. Her routine featured a medley of “the queen’s” hits  “Crazy in Love” and “Ego.” But what Dennis did with these hits could have only been inspired by the queen herself – and that inspiration was taken to the next level by Dennis’ insane acrobatics, energy, and simply put: killer dance moves. Fortunately, the judges recognized the magic that was happening in front of them and awarded a well-deserved, almost perfect score of  9.975, which is nearly unheard of in the world of gymnastics.

If you haven’t seen Nia Dennis take Beyoncé’s music and turn it into pure physical perfection, then we’ll go ahead and warn you to set some time aside. This routine is something that you are not only going to want to watch to the end (the team’s celebration is AMAZING), but something you will find yourself watching over and over again. It’s that good. But more importantly, it’s going to remind you that we women are strong, we are capable, and we are not just women – we are queens. Happy International Women’s Day!

For more inspiring, fun, and heartwarming videos like this one, be sure to check out our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

The post Beyoncé Inspired Routine Is How We’re Celebrating #InternationalWomensDay! appeared first on Richmond Mom.

Motherhood is a roller coaster. It’s messy and exhausting and funny and sad and infuriating and exhilarating all at once. Motherhood often puts us in one phase only to leave us longing for the next one – then sends us into a spiral of wishing we could just have a few more moments back in the phases we were so ready to leave behind. And that’s just it. Motherhood is a constant paradox of emotions.

In today’s video from Hallmark, you’ll see all of this played out -and I’m going to warn you now, if you’re not ready for ALL the feels, then you may not be ready for this commercial. But if you need a reminder that motherhood is one of the greatest and most beautiful journeys you’ll ever undertake, then go ahead, grab a tissue, and get ready…

For more heartwarming videos like this one, be sure to check out our entire Share Saturdays series – only on Richmond Mom!

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