Friday, February 12, 2010

20 years of joy


solo post - L

Someone on FB wished me a happy day today, as well as Taylor. And I appreciate that. I think this is as much my day for celebrating as it is hers. My daughter has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined possible. So I celebrate this day she came into my life 20 years ago.
When they told me I had a baby girl I wasn't really surprised but when they said, "and she has beautiful red hair!" I couldn't believe it. I always imagined I would have a quiet little girl with soft brown curls. Never in a million years did I imagine I would have a red head. I thought, "are you sure she's mine?" Yes, she's my daughter. And she isn't quiet like me (but for this I am glad). She has some of my traits (hope the good ones), and some from her dad, and I guess from someone generations back who had red hair. In her 20 years she has grown from guidance and support from both sets of grandparents, gained knowledge from many, many teachers, matured through friendships and heartbreaks - learned to stand on her own two feet in more ways than one and has developed into a beautiful young woman inside and out.
Taylor you are uniquely wonderful and strong, a most loving daughter, and I thank God for you every single day.

14 comments:

Char said...

she is such a beauty - and i know you are a very proud momma. wonderful shots. may her life always be filled with love and laughter.

peachey said...

i love the tags you gave this post as well as its loving words.
happy birthday, taylor!

S. Etole said...

she was adorable then and still is ... what a joy for both of you

d smith kaich jones said...

Well yes. Happy birthday to both of you. My mom has always been my best friend, even when we are driving each other crazy. Congratulations to both of you!

xoxo
Debi

PS - Taylor is gorgeous!

Gayle at Planet M Files said...

Happy Birthday to Taylor! And, I agree. Happy day to you, too!

Anonymous said...

Sniff...so happy for you both. You two share a relationship like none I've seen before. I hope my daughter and I grow together through the years like you two.
xxoo

ELK said...

what a stunning diptych of young girl young woman...and your words made me catch my breath with emotion, you are such a good mom! Happy Birthday Taylor...redheads rule!! ;000

georgia b. said...

this is very sweet. i've always admired the relationship you two have. what a wonderful example you both are to how a mom and a daughter can be so much more... they can be friends.

Kim Klassen said...

just found your blog and wanted to say... omgoodness what a lovely idea...
how special .....

thank you for sharing... xxo, kim

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh, Leslye. I have missed you and this place and our chats through comments. I've been so bogged down with the Februaries that I haven't gotten around to see my friends. And, I'm still really not here. I am at school early on a Sunday morning before church trying to get my weekend work done so that I can spend the rest of the day with my family uninterrupted. Still... I had to come by and wish you a very happy Valentine's Day. And now, of course, I see that I also need to with Taylor a very happy birthday. Happy birthday, T.

Leslye, today, may you know how very much you are loved. Happy Valentine's Day.

Unknown said...

her res hair is one of her most beautiful features.

hoping that the next year is everything she dreams it to be.

Joy said...

Such a beautiful tribute from a beautiful mom to a beautiful girl. You all come by beauty honestly!

Woman in a Window said...

20 years. It is a surprise when they finally come and they lay these babies on our chest and we both know them and see within them so many differences that we have to learn to know over time. But now, the two of you, you are overlapping slices of one another, your own, and yet so much of one another. And both beautiful.

Happy Birthday to Taylor.
xo
erin

Jewels said...

Oh wow, I don't know how I missed this!!! So, so beautiful and I love what you said about her! She's just a little younger than my son :) Redheads are very special, none in our family, but some of my best friends are...

footnote

The photos on the left are taken by me, Leslye, the mother. The photos on the right are taken by my daughter, Taylor – unless otherwise noted. Comments are always welcome. thanks
If you care to visit, I, Leslye, have another blog - AutumnSun where I ramble around different paths and pleasures of my own.