“Can you tell me a story about when you were a little girl?” That seems to be the most frequently asked question by M&M these days. Sometimes I struggle to think of a memory and I find myself retelling the same story over and over again. My first memory I tend to be telling a lot. It has to do with my mom and family portraits so it’s a perfect time to share this Mother’s Day weekend.
Once upon a time I was born to a mother with three sons. When she found out she was pregnant with twins she secretly bought two bonnets in hopes those babies would be girls. Those bonnets did not go to waste. And then she began living any five year old’s dream of dressing babies in filly socks, pretty dresses, and bonnets. For as long as my sister would let her, we matched or coordinated. And naturally, for family portraits, my mom dolled us up.
I had pin straight hair and woke up looking like before I told the moon goodnight. My sister had crazy, full, thick, beautiful hair and my dad always commented on her “lion’s mane” at breakfast. So while I might not have had to brush my hair in the morning, the curling iron did nothing for me but everything for my twin.
One evening, I remember getting ready for family portraits in my mother’s room. My sister and I wore matching blue dresses and my mom was curling our hair. As mentioned before, my sister’s hair was curling, mine was not. I remember feeling so bummed, left out or however a 3 year old feels when her sister has nice soft curls on her shoulders and she does not. Then my mom did something I still remember. I’m sure she said something like, “You’re beautiful just the way God made you.” But she let me wear one of her necklaces. I felt so special and grown up.
My mom does not remember that simple act, but I do (and there is proof in the pictures of a girl with straight hair wearing a necklace). Every time I see that picture I think of her and her love for me. And I think that is one of the most important purposes of a picture.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and to all the moms, aunts, and awesome women who love on their children and may those children know and feel that they are loved.