As a parent that is.
So Taylor had her first homecoming. And her second. :)
Her new school’s homecoming was the week before her old school’s. Follow that?
As hard as I try not to, I feel like I can be a bit of a hovercraft-type parent. What do they call that term?
I want to be involved in every aspect of my girls lives. That’s not all bad. I know that. And I think overall, I do a pretty good job of letting them have their space when they need it. But sometimes I need to be better at letting go … honestly, probably more for my sake than theirs.
For Taylor’s first homecoming … I had a wedding to photograph … so I couldn’t be there with her that day. I was going to quickly sneak out, take photos of Taylor and then sneak back. The bride was cool with that, and I had a second-shooter … but as it turned out, Taylor went to a friend’s house in Illinois to get ready. That was just a tad too far to “sneak.”
Okay, so where do I even begin?
Here’s Tay with her friend … of course, I was lucky enough to grab this from her friend’s facebook page! ;)
And the dress she’s wearing is her second choice. Her school required approval of all dresses. They had to bring them in, try them on and get approval. Her first choice didn’t pass. Too short.
Aren’t they pretty?
And here’s the boy she went with. She likes him. Then she didn’t. They were going to go together. Then they weren’t. Then they did.
That’s my girl!
She didn’t get why it was so important for me to be involved in the day. Um, not that I was obsessing about it or anything. Honest.
I just wanted her to send me pix, or maybe a call, or even a text with how it was going. You get it, don’t you?
I couldn’t wait to see her at the end of the night. While I was still at the wedding and shortly before it was time to pick her up {which was a half hour drive}, I got a text from her asking if she could stay over at her friend’s house. Um, no. In fact, no you can’t.
Selfishly … I just wanted to see her, talk to her, find out how it went.
I texted back and said her friend could stay at our house, but no … she needed to come home. I didn’t hear back from her, so drove to get her.
I got there as homecoming was ending. I waited. And waited.
Finally a text … “pleaaasssee?”
No. I’m here.
So out she and said friend come. “Please mom?”
“No,” I say. “But your friend can come to our house.” Conversation with friend ensued.
Her friend said she couldn’t. I expected an argument from Taylor, but no. She said okay and got in the car. Wow. Totally didn’t expect that. Then I expected crabbiness. But nope, didn’t get that either. She was a little chatter-bug telling me all about it.
It was like I got to be with her after all.
{image courtesy fedler studio}
This is Tay at her second homecoming. And her original dress. Pretty, no?
And this is the boy she went with. They’re friends.
It was so great that she got to go to her old school’s homecoming. Not to mention, I was super happy to be able to be “involved” in this one! ;)
She had a blast! Someone had asked how she feels being there or with those old friends. Truth is, I think she feels empowered. Untouchable, if you will. Their school’s play each other in soccer and she’s gone to a few games and has a great time.
She’s thriving in her new environment and it absolutely shows.
I continue to be proud of her and amazed at how she handles situations. And I guess, proud too, that she comes to me for advice or opinions. I’m not sure if that will change as she continues to grow … but for right now I cherish it and don’t take it for granted.
OH! And she made the cheerleading squad too! Fun, hey?
Beautiful girls, just like her mother!!
I am shaking my head agreeing to almost everything you have said…since Katie is a senior, I can say “Yeah, been there”! I love reading your stories…that way I know I’m not the only one going through stuff! Taylor is beautiful in both dresses. The way you handled the sleepover is exactly what I did once…glad you held out even after all of the pleeeeeaaaases!
Oh, Tracie . . . she’s such a beautiful young woman!!! And I’m so glad that you got to be present for HC#2. I know how it pained you to miss the first one. Tay is so lucky to have you!! And no — you’re not a helicopter mom! You’re a mom that’s active and involved, which is what this world needs more of!!
What a gorgeous daughter you have. From what I’ve read she’s not only beautiful outside but inside as well. You are a lucky mom and she’s lucky to have you.
I think it’s great you want to be involved in her life. That shows you care about her and want to be there for the big + little moments. The teenage years are hard but the more you can keep the lines of communication open, the better off you’ll be. I suspect she knows how lucky she is and while she won’t always be as talkative as you’d like, she’ll share things with you when she’s ready.
Both dresses are lovely but the blue one is absolutely stunning! And big congrats to her for making the cheerleading squad. I’m still friends with a few girls I cheered with WAY back in the day and I hope Taylor makes those same type of enduring friendships!
Awesome. She is beautiful and what a great relationship you have.
I love both dresses! Taylor looks stunning!
oh so pretty….. ! i’ve been waiting and waiting for the homecoming pictures!
: ) love both dresses and her hair too !! hmmm wish i was brave enough to do that I love the look (and could sure use a couple inches cut off) ! of course it probably wouldn’t look quite the same on me ha !
I love that she was comfortable enough ( or maybe not) to take a silly picture too so cute.
I know just how you feel when you couldn’t wait to be with your daughter and get the scoop and see the pictures she took and hear all about her night isn’t that awesome… the best part about having that friendship and closeness with your little girl is that it never changes !! bethy is 23 and we still love to catch up after a event or night out or just after not seeing each other for a few days.. its soo comforting isn’t it. Its great to be the mom and the friend too !
oh and on another note.. cheerleading ! YAY !! you know how much I love cheerleading can’t wait to see some of those pictures ! sounds like miss taylor is off to a great year and made a really tough but
wise decision to change schools… good for her { and you}.
Love these pics! Make sure we get to see some cheerleading ones too! Taylor is such a beautiful girl…I hope she feels the confidence that so many girls lack during their teen years (I know I did) and continues to shine brightly!