The mom and daughter relationship can be complex but also the best thing ever.

I recently considered quitting the blog. I wasn’t sure how helpful it was and let’s face it, it can be hard in the blogging space when there are so many others.

But my girl encouraged me to continue saying how proud she was of me, and that made it all worth it.

We’ve decided to start doing photo shoots more often (because we love it) and she’s also going to drop in as a guest blogger sometimes (look for her Shark vs Dyson review coming soon!)

The Early Years
Mom and Daughter Relationship

I always knew I wanted a little girl. Don’t all moms? Some will say girls are much harder, but I’ve not found that.

We started out a little rough. My husband deployed to Iraq early 2003, a few months before our girl’s birth. My labor was long and challenging (probably thanks to the anxiety I was having) and she was a colicky baby. As an initial single parent and not knowing what the hell I was doing, there were times I thought I would never survive.

Then my husband came home from Iraq and we immediately moved to North Carolina when she was four months old.

A small town hours away from any city, I became a stay at home mom, sometimes with Evan gone for 6 and 7 months at a time. Lauren and I became the best of friends and were together 24/7.

Then her brother was born, and a year later we moved to Hawaii.

Model & Dancer
Mom and Daughter Relationship

My girl has been a creative one from the beginning. She started ballet at age 2 (for fun) but it became a passion for her and she danced seriously through to the end of high school.

Always a fan of photography (and fashion), I took up photography seriously and she was often my muse and model. Of course once I became the family photographer, I was also rarely in the photos anymore (which is why I prioritize it now).

And then another move, this time from Hawaii to San Diego.

Homeschool Years
Mom and Daughter Relationship

I didn’t even know about homeschooling until a friend of mine gave me a book to read saying she thought it would be perfect for our family. Turns out, it was. Especially because Lauren was busy with dance, theater, and every other activity she could possibly do. This lasted to middle school and some of the best years of my life.

High School Years
Mom and Daughter Relationship

I have to honestly say that we’ve never had any true issues. I think it’s because I always told her she could come to me with anything and I would listen and help and understand. And I really tried to stay true to that.

I have this image framed big in my house. Still a favorite to this day.

Nursing Student
Mom and Daughter Relationship

This girl is my hero. She tries everything and goes after whatever she wants. Halfway through her third year of nursing school, I’m so thankful that her school is only 45 minutes from home and that we see each other regularly.

And she’s one of my biggest blog supporters. In fact, she’s the one that encourages me to continue, even when I think it’s pointless.

I’m A Lucky Mom
Mom and Daughter Relationship

I can honestly say I’m so lucky to have this girl as mine. She makes me a better person, and I truly consider her my best friend. I don’t agree with the thought that you can’t be best friends with your kids. She’ll always be mine.

xo Tammy

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