Seasons change...but timing? Sometimes timing stays the same.
Timing is an interesting thing. Why certain things align at specific times is a bit of a mystery, but it draws our attention and leaves us pondering…
For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of being a mom. I pretended often as a little girl and looked forward to the day I would have my own sons and daughters.
In 1990, my dream began it’s fulfillment with the birth of my first baby - a beautiful 7 lb boy we named Taylor. He and I embarked on this new journey and we learned the mother/son thing together. We learned to nurse, sleep (or not!), deal with illness, start walking, and talking. We played in the dirt, sang silly songs together and enjoyed all the fun things that came with having an amazing, sweet and bright little boy. I loved him completely and enjoyed all that we added to each others lives.
Two and a half years later, March 24 of 1993, we were again at the hospital in Edmonton, about to have our second baby. Like the first pregnancy, we had chosen not to find out what we were having and let it be a surprise. When that little girl was placed in my arms, she added another dimension to our family and I eagerly anticipated enjoying the mother/daughter bond with her that I had shared with my own mother. As I thought about taking her home I had a sudden desire to do what all good mothers and daughters do - go shopping!! She needed a dress.
So with a 6lb 6oz infant just over 27 hours old, I left the hospital and went directly to West Edmonton Mall. Carrying this tiny bundle in my arms, I went shopping for the tiniest dress I could find. (Of course it was crazy. I know that. But at the time, post birth euphoria was clouding my rational thinking. And as a doula I would NEVER recommend this!!)
Jaedyn in all her 6 week old glory!
Jaedyn definitely brought some sparkle and our family of four grew in some new ways. There were music lessons, American Girl dolls, and tea parties. She enjoyed figure skating and playing hockey, horses and jr. dragster racing along with her brothers. More siblings were born and she had friends and friend drama. There was teen angst, slammed doors, and tears of reconciliation.
Then in March of 2011, Jaedyn & I went away together to celebrate her 18th birthday. Graduation was coming up and she needed to get something to wear. There was dinner out, a nice hotel, laughter and of course, shopping. I was sitting outside a fitting room in a store in West Edmonton Mall when it suddenly hit me. Here we are again. Mother and daughter, in Edmonton, for her birthday, shopping. For a dress.
Grad 2011
A few months later, she graduated from high school. There was work, then college in California, new friends, and international travel. There was a season of helping us at home, then moving out, pursuing dreams, starting a business, and falling in love. Then a couple weeks ago, on a frozen mountain lake in Kananskis, there was a ring.
It’s March again, and this past weekend we went away to celebrate Jaedyn’s 25th birthday. Her two sisters came, and her friend from Minnesota, as well as her future mother in law. And somewhere in there, it hit me. Here we are, Jaedyn & me. Mother and daughter, in Edmonton, for her birthday, shopping.
For a dress.
She said YES to the dress!! Pictures to come ... in the future!