The Power of a Mother's Love: How it Shapes Our Lives

A Mother's Unyielding Love: The Story of Rhiannon Hull

Some stories stay with you forever. When I first heard about Rhiannon Hull, I was deeply moved. Her story is a testament to the limitless strength of a mother’s love, and I want to share it with you.

On an overcast day in 2011, Rhiannon and her six-year-old son, Julian, went to the beach in Costa Rica, unaware that this ordinary outing would turn into a test of endurance, sacrifice, and the boundless love of a mother.

As they waded into the ocean, a powerful riptide pulled them away from shore. Alone in the water, with no immediate help in sight, Rhiannon’s instincts as a mother took over. Though she was an accomplished distance runner—her body trained for endurance and resilience—her strength in that moment came not from years of physical training but from something far greater: her love for her son.

For nearly thirty minutes, she held Julian above the waves, keeping him safe while her own body grew weaker. He later recalled standing on his mother as she fought to keep him afloat, her willpower sustaining them both. As two teenage surfers finally reached them, Rhiannon used the last of her strength to lift Julian onto a surfboard. But as they turned back to help her, she was gone, disappearing beneath the waves.

Her story is heartbreaking, yet above all, it proves the incredible power of a mother’s love. Rhiannon’s endurance, both physical and emotional, was pushed to its ultimate limit—not in a race, but in the most selfless act imaginable. She gave everything to ensure her child’s survival, embodying what it truly means to be a mother.

Rhiannon’s story is extraordinary, but in many ways, it mirrors the daily struggles of mothers everywhere—pushing through exhaustion, sacrificing without hesitation, and never letting go.

A mother’s love is relentless. It defies exhaustion, fear, and even the limits of the body. Rhiannon Hull’s final moments were not defined by tragedy alone, but by the undeniable truth that, for her, there was no greater purpose than protecting her child.

The Strength We Carry as Mothers

Can you relate to Rhiannon’s story? I bet you can understand why it is so meaningful to any mother. There is no greater purpose than nurturing and protecting a child. You are important. You are necessary.

I love stories about strong, incredible women because they remind me of my own potential. I try to learn from their resilience, to emulate their strength. These women are all around us—look up, observe, and recognize this divine characteristic we are all born with. It will give you the courage to continue.

Motherhood is the ultimate journey—an opportunity to pour your heart and soul into your children. And sometimes, it feels like we are treading water while holding them above the waves. Not physically, perhaps, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

I was visiting with a friend recently and asked how her kids were doing, particularly her daughter, whom I know well. She sighed and told me this story:

Her daughter plays professional soccer in Texas, far from home in Utah. Recently, she suffered a serious knee injury that would require surgery. The team arranged for a surgeon, but my friend worried—his experience was limited. She immediately researched three other doctors and offered to pay for a specialist, but her daughter declined. She barely seemed interested in her mother’s help.

Heartbroken, my friend admitted that she’s lucky to hear from her daughter once a week. But when she does, those moments mean everything.

I asked her, “If she called you tomorrow and asked for help finding a different doctor, would you do it?”

She didn’t hesitate. “In a heartbeat,” she said.

That is motherhood. That is who we are.

No matter how exhausted we are, we will never stop treading water for our children. We do it instinctively, endlessly, and with love. Because that is who we are.