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She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood
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She Loved

Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood

By Suzanne Bilodeau

$34.95
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Be encouraged by a village of Catholic mothers with this collection of letters from mothers, to mothers.  

Mothers lay down their lives for their children day in and day out. 

Whether it be through playing with them, teaching them about the Faith, consoling them through hurts or encouraging them in all that they do, mothers play a special role in reminding their children of God’s love.

At the end of the day, though, mothers need to be reminded of God’s love for them just as much as their children do. 

With 15 authentic and vulnerable letters written by Catholic mothers to their younger selves, She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood acts as a little community of older mothers who remind newer mothers of the peace and purpose they can find in motherhood. 

Following each part of 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, She Loved dives into all the ways mothers embody the love of Christ, love that is patient and kind. 

This beautiful coffee table book is filled with stunning photographic images that capture the beauty and the reality of motherhood alike.

As mothers read through this beautiful book, they will find hope and encouragement from contributors:

  • Alicia Hernon
  • Beth Sri
  • Bonnie Landry
  • Carrie Daunt
  • Christine Dudley
  • Christine Hanus
  • Debbie Herbeck
  • Dorothy Pilarski
  • Elizabeth Foss
  • Emily Jaminet
  • Heather Voccola
  • Heidi Bratton
  • Laura Phelps
  • Lisa Brenninkmeyer
  • Mary Lenaburg

You do not have to journey through motherhood alone. 

Take heart, and rest in the beauty of motherhood alongside a village of Catholic women who have gone before you.

 

"Wisdom! She Loved is a book of the richest and most profound maternal wisdom. Suzanne Bilodeau, along with the many other contributors, have journeyed through the whole spectrum of motherhood with all of its daily death and resurrections and beautifully articulated how they have found Christ and been found by Christ in it all."

–Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR

Host of the #1 podcast, Rosary in a Year

 

"Most of my interactions with Suzanne over the past several years concern the subject of healing and motherhood. Even that first day, when I met her, I heard how deeply she desired to be a loving mom. This book has been conceived in her own prayer, for you to be the best mom you can be for your children. I know that many women will be deeply blessed by it, and it will bear great fruit in the lives of their husbands and children and in the women they influence."

–Dr. Bob Schuchts

Founder of the John Paul II Healing Center

 

"Suzanne Bilodeau has given us a treasure in She Loved. Pulling back the curtain on motherhood, she and the contributors reveal the depth, drama, joy and beauty of this vocation. More than words are shared here—they share their very selves, the deepest places of the heart. Each letter is a tangible offering of accompaniment. In a world where moms are often isolated and insulated, the writers’ vulnerability radiates as a beacon of our Lord’s hope and encouragement."

–Beth Sri

Wife, mother and co-author of The Good The Messy and The Beautiful

 

"She Loved reminds us - in the complexity of this calling to marriage and motherhood, the goal is simple: love. For younger moms - love God - love your spouse - love each child. And for older moms - honor your daughters and daughters-in-law by valuing their day after day and night after night persevering love they offer."

–Kimberly Hahn

Wife, mom of 6, nana to 23, author, speaker, and host of the Beloved and Blessed Podcast

 

"While truth and goodness are often debated, beauty is irrefutable. This is one reason why Suzanne Bilodeau’s reflections on motherhood in She Loved are so effective. This compilation of motherly wisdom is revealing, raw, and relatable. It will be a tremendous gift for any mother, grandmother, or soon-to-be mom!"

–Jason Evert

 Author, speaker, and founder of the Chastity Project 

 

"She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood by Suzanne Bilodeau is a heartfelt companion for every mother navigating the messy, beautiful, and sacred moments of raising a family. With tender reflections and letters from seasoned moms, it wraps you in the warmth of shared wisdom and encouragement, drawing on the timeless truths of 1 Corinthians 13. This isn’t a guide to getting it all right—it’s a gentle invitation to embrace the divine grace woven into the daily rhythms of motherhood. Full of hope and honesty, it’s a moving reminder that in loving our children, we reflect the boundless love of God."

–Danielle Bean

Author, speaker, and podcaster (daniellebean.com)

 

"Most of what we absorb about motherhood derives from our family of origin. It is more caught than taught. While this perspective is important, it is often incomplete. In generations past it was the village that raised a child. Each villager offered a unique picture, a tile in the mosaic of motherhood. Born out of a mission to love her children well, Suzanne Bilodeau set out on a quest to hear from other women who have trod this path and found joy and hope in their vocation. She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood was born out of this personal mission. This beautiful book is comprised of a village of voices offering an authentic perspective on the most critical role in our world today- Motherhood."

–Carrie Daunt

Catholic author and speaker with the John Paul II Healing Center and contributor for She Loved

"She Loved is a book filled with diverse, personal stories from Catholic women, all sharing their unique experiences of motherhood and faith through the lens of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. The stories are both vulnerable and authentic, offering an honest portrayal of faith, struggles, and joys. This book is a beautiful narrative companion to walk alongside each of us in this messy and holy adventure of motherhood."

–Michelle Benzinger

Abiding Together podcast host 

 

 

Product Details
SKU
9781935940418
Format
Hardcover
Binding
Hardcover
Dimensions
10" x 7"
Weight
2.14 lb
Page Count
320
Language
English
Publisher
Ascension Press
Copyright Year
2025

Contributors

Author


Suzanne Bilodeau

Suzanne Bilodeau is head over heels in love with Jesus. Wife to her high school sweetheart Paul, Suzanne is a homeschooling momma of 6 beautiful children. A former success-seeking actuary and a recovering perfectionist and overachiever, she encountered Christ in a new and restoring way in motherhood. Host of the popular podcast Latte & Laundry, Suzanne explores what it means to sit at the feet of Christ like Mary, while moving in this world with the gusto and strength of Martha. She is convicted that God is on mission to restore and revive the magnificent vocation of motherhood, and she delights in letting him use her in any tiny way he sees fit.

Suzanne’s debut title with Ascension is She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood. This beautiful coffee table book collects 15 authentic and vulnerable letters written by Catholic mothers to their younger selves, celebrating the peace and purpose to be found in motherhood. Contributors include Beth Sri, Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Elizabeth Foss, Bonnie Landry, Debbie Herbeck, and many more.

If you can’t find Suzanne in the kitchen or laundry room of her Connecticut home, she is probably on a run, in the garden, or planning her next adventure with the kids.

More from Suzanne Bilodeau →
  • 5 stars: 10 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
T
Tad E.
Beautiful book & message

Beautiful book & message

M
Missy D.
A Gift from God

Before writing this review, I read through some of the professional reviews to see what they had to say. The words “coffee table book” stopped me short. I often do not read “coffee table” books, and quite literally had to stop and think about whether I considered this book to be categorized that way…this book that I have treasured, highlighted, tabbed special pages so that I could remember important points that I’d need to reread in the future; this book that I’ve literally made a list of all the people for which I need to buy a copy; and I decided that no, it’s not just a coffee table book with pretty pictures and simple pages that you read when you’re bored. This book is so much more meaningful. It’s quite literally God’s words written in a way that soothes the souls and spirits of the mothers He created so carefully and with so much love. She loved, because He loved. God has spoken through each mother in this book to give us all confidence, assurance and meaning where doubt or envy or hopelessness set in. This book is a place of refuge. I was given this book as a gift from God, and I will, in turn, give it to other mothers I know as a gift of God’s love as well. Such a simple, yet powerful blessing.

A
Alicia Z.
Exactly what I needed

This book is possibly the most spiritually impactful book on motherhood that I’ve ever read. Each part speaks directly to my momma heart in a profound way. As a mom of 5 littles and working outside of the home, comparison and worry define my days. This book has allowed me to sink into all those struggles and let God into each one. Thank you, Suzanne, for the work you did to compile this idea and make it a reality.

A
Anne D.
Resting in Love

As a mama to 3 children on earth and 4 in Heaven, I'm drawn to books that inspire a deep, sacrificial love I hope to pass on to my daughters. She Loved by Suzanne Bilodeau touched my heart in exactly that way. Suzanne and all these mothers speak from a deep sense of Truth, Goodness and Beauty...disguised in the messy, ugly and mundane moments of motherhood. This book will continually remind all mamas to rest with a heart wide open to Christ's Love through the gift of loving our children.

H
Hayley C.
Such a gift!!!

What a gift to my heart this book has been! I live far from family and other mom friends, so I know I get a bit lonely.. I didn’t realize though how badly my heart needed to hear some of these words shared by these women! Seconds into reading just the first few pages, my heart was softening and aching for more, and suddenly I found myself realizing how much I’ve been “staying strong” in this whirlwind of becoming a new mom. I have been so comforted, supported and loved through these words and I highly recommend it for new moms, because we really don’t know what we’re getting into!! A treasure of wisdom here!! Thank you Suzanne!!

M
Maren T.
Give this book an award!

I feel a bit guilty reviewing a book that I'm only 38 pages in--however I am a reader and so I know books. I don't prefer to do reviews, but I am so desperate to let moms know everywhere how WONDERFUL this book is, that if I could, I would buy 20 and hand them out randomly to mothers I might meet. I am a unique mom: Catholic convert (Class of 2013), stepmom, mom to adult daughters and mom of a 3yo daughter, public school employee (which also often feels like mom work). There are multiple details I cannot share but suffice to say that this book is exactly what I needed. I feel like God spoke to the authors about what I specifically needed and then they followed through AMAZINGLY! Writing this review brings tears to my eyes. What a struggle being a mom has been and yet, God is comforting me through She Loved! I also LOVE how the first guest author also shared how to love and support our husbands. Moms can often get overfocused on our children, but our children do better when we moms love, support, and respect our husbands. THANK YOU for this wonderful book!

J
Janice B.
Heart warming for moms

As a mom of grown children and grandmother of 12, I didn’t think I could connect with these womens’ stories. But after all these years, they really touched a nerve.
I only wish there was a book like this when I was a young mom. Heartwarming and so uplifting in the beautiful ( and difficult at times) journey of motherhood.. God bless Suzanne and all the women who contributed to this faith inspired book .
Janice B.

M
Michelle H.
Just what I needed ❤️

As an avid reader, I am always a bit skeptical when picking up a new book. Squeezing 5 stars out of me is close to impossible. This is not typically my type of book but several women in my family were raving about it. WHOA. Just WHOA. My usual style is to plow through the words as I am not the most patient person and must know what happens next. With “She Loved,” I decided to take the authors advice. Slow and steady. Take it all in. Pray. Love truly IS PATIENT. As a busy single mother of 3, I tend to get lost in the shuffle, often missing sight of the truly important things…… I needed this book more than I knew, and I can’t wait to recommend it to others. What an inspiration read!

R
Renee B.
Beautiful book!

What a beautiful book! From the gorgeous photos to the pouring of heart throughout the words, this book is a work of art! Suzanne Bilodeau and her featured women (mom) writers have a true gift for reaching mothers’ hearts by generously sharing theirs. The writings reference many biblical figures and verses that support the true essence of motherhood. I loved how it followed the outline of love in 1 Corinthians 13 through the whole book. Made it very clear and easy to follow. The whole book is simply beautiful and it will leave you feeling seen. If you need a baby shower gift this book would make an absolutely beautiful gift for a young Catholic mom.

K
Kenzie W.
A Must-Have for Every Mama’s Heart!

She Loved by Suzanne is a timeless treasure. This breathtaking coffee table book is filled with vulnerable, letters of the heart from Catholic moms to their younger selves — letters that echo the joys, struggles, triumphs and beauty of motherhood. Each story is a testament to the sacrifice and eternal gift of this vocation.

For me, this book is especially personal. Many of the women who contributed to She Loved are not only familiar names in the Catholic world but also mentors and role models in my own life and will be yours too as reading these pages will feel like having coffee with a big sister who delights in your goodness. Their love, wisdom, and witness have shaped me as a woman, wife, mother, homemaker, sister, and friend. And Suzanne — my dear friend, mentor, and big sister in Christ — has poured her whole heart and soul into this work, offering a gift that will bless homes and hearts alike.

Whether you’re a mom navigating the early days of motherhood or someone further along this beautiful journey, She Loved will meet you right where you are. Its words will feel like a hug from Mama Mary herself, reminding you that you are seen, loved, and equipped for this great call on your life. It’s a book to return to again and again, and to gift at every baby shower, to draw strength and encouragement from the stories within.

I cannot wait for my friends and sisters to experience this beautiful resource. It is not just a book — it’s a gift of love and wisdom that will pour into your family, your home, and your heart.

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