For all you mothers – and for that matter fathers – out there, I dare you to listen to Alanis Morisettes’ song, Ablaze, and not get just a little bit teary. The song from her ninth studio album, Such Pretty Forks in the Road, is a gorgeous, heartfelt dedication to her children.

The singer remotely debuted her song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with her daughter appropriately on her lap. Predictably, as any parent who has lived through working from home can attest, her giggling four year old contributed to the proceedings by playing with her headphones, covering her mom’s mouth while singing, and asking questions in the middle of the song. It was perfect.  

“My mission is to keep the light in your eyes ablaze” 

As someone who found my mission when my daughter was born, this line hits me right in the feels. And there is just something about how authentic this moment between mother and daughter is. Despite being aired on national tv, there is no perfect audio, no pre-recording to allow for do-overs. Just embracing the messy, funny, silly, and deeply loving relationship between daughter and doting mother. I imagine it took courage to bare to the world something so precious. And I’m grateful she did. It’s a nice reminder that our kids don’t see (or need!) the perfect parent image we project to the world. To them, we are just who we are in the moment. 

And now, please excuse me while I go hug my daughter.