Do you ever wonder?

Yesterday as I was attacking the laundry monster, with force I might add, I came across my old high school picture. Now, for some of you, you were probably fortunate to not have gone through what I would call that 'awkward' stage in life. My daughter, who is three, started looking at some of the pictures and seemed a bit startled...'who is that mommy?' with a scared look on her face.
(You know you went through that big hair phase!)

Now, I consider myself to be somewhat of a stylish mama. But still, I think back to who I was at that time in my life. What did I think about where I was going and what I would do? What advice would I give that girl right now...knowing where I have gone and what I did.

Back then, I was someone who didn't have much confidence in myself. I was that girl who was quiet in the back of the room...who mistakenly got confused with being snobby, mainly because I was scared spitless to talk with anyone. I didn't go to the football games, I didn't have that big social party status...I was just me. Quiet and reserved. (Except for that one fight I got into...but that's another post!)

I don't know what the turning point was that helped me break out of that shell. Maybe it was moving to NY where I went to college. I played college volleyball, ran for student government, had a steady boyfriend throughout my college years. Maybe it was that I finally learned that there was something special under all that nervousness and I had a voice to share with others. I just didn't have the confidence to show it.

Or maybe it was because I got the braces off!

Who knows?

All I do know is that as me, Amy, I hope to be a mom who helps raise a confident daughter. One who helps her find value in her presence. To help her understand her importance in all that she does. To see that love is worth finding. That her mom and dad love each other deeply. But most importantly...to like who she is.