Happy Mother’s Day everyone! Especially my mom Theresa or as most of us know her, Big T! She and I have been through it all together. Our relationship plays a defining role in my transition to young adult. For those of you who know me and know my tendency to over analyze, worry and constantly fret- this is the woman who bears the brunt of it and I am eternally grateful. My parents divorced when I was quite young when T and I moved down to Irvine from the South Bay to start our life as mother & daughter. I used to resent our extremely suburban home but have certainly come to appreciate the comfort and consistency I find there. We have always been a tight knit unit and I had no idea how much she was willing to deal with to bring me up as the stellar young woman I am today. Essentially I do not envy the never ending days my mom dealt with while I was growing up, about the time I was finishing high school and moving away to begin college I recognized the enormous patience and commitment my mother had to being a parent. I can say without a doubt that she is the single most influential relationship in my life. She is my barometer of right and wrong, and the limitless source of my overly inflated confidence. Seriously though, this woman thinks I am the single most gorgeous human to walk this earth, and while I don’t always agree with her it really doesn’t hurt to hear on occasion.
I lucked out in the “influential women in my life” department and also get to deal with this lady, my god mother Claudia- more notable referred to as Lala. This one is a basket case in the most charming, loving way possible. She’s my mother’s best friend and she always understands my anxiety and idiosyncrasies. Between these two, I’ve learned quite a bit about being a lady.
A girl’s relationship with her mom is a volatile thing, your mother is that one person who truly knows how to dig deep and make sure you hear what she’s got to say. She’s the foundation for relationships you have with friends in the future, she’s (whether we are willing to admit it) the blue print for the woman we may become. Moms are usually the first guide to the world we have as little people and that results in a pretty strong tie. My mom and I have had a 1500 mile buffer zone for the last five years but she’s maintained an enormous amount clout in my growth from youngin to young adult. The important women in my life taught me everything I know about boys, clothes, my self image, presenting myself, design aesthetic and most importantly, they’ve taught me how to face challenges and frustration with grace. They teach me to turn to the higher power when it comes to the things I can’t control and finally they’ve honed my mean wit and really tested my patience with their absurd antics.
