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Oh Heather, I remember the pics from the closet, with the all blue hue, and the lone red converse.
YOU have done a fabulous job as Momma, Emelie, is a lucky girl.

Tell her that a college student thinks she totally rocks! That outfit and hair is awesome!

And she’s lucky to have an awesome mother like you!

“and a life of joy and contentment is a choice” This is one of my favorite lines from this post.

And as I parent a daughter that walks to the beat of her own band, I feel these struggles, too. Sometimes it’s hard for me to bite my tongue and let her be her unique self, but I try hard to do so and embrace her individuality. Thanks for the reminder :)

Dude, you’re an awesome mom. I always wanted to be “different” but my family, as loving and awesome as they are, weren’t so keen on that sort of craziness. From one Emily to another Emilie (love the spelling!), you’re doing a fine job with your daughter.

Amen!! I love this girl of yours BTW, she is just unique, confident and beauiful, great job mamma! My 14year old boy is my puzzle, my match and my joy as well.

Wow. You inspire me to talk to my daughter(s) more!! Emelie is GORGEOUS! And I love her bracelets. Reminds me of being 12 :)

What a gift you have given her; the gift to be authentically herself, in all her colorful ways. If you, her beloved mother, can accept & love her the way she is, SHE will accept & love herself the way she is, for don’t we all look in our mother’s eyes to see who we are at times?

Aw, Heather, I’ve missed you. :) So glad to have your words of wisdom in my reader again.

what a rockin’ girl! i’m so glad that she’s got the support of a mom who is more than willing to let her daughter explore herself and become the person she wants to be rather than what the world tries to impress upon her.

love her hair, btw.

It certainly looks like Emelie has been taught some fabulous lessons to be herself. Love her colorful outfit and her hair is so cute! May the teen years continue along smoothly.

I love her orange spikes!! Mine were hot pink and blue. On seeing it for the first time, my mother, in a rare show of tolerance, said only, “It’s hair. It will grow back.” All these years later, I can look back and agree that she was right – my hair did grow back. :)

You are so lucky that she is confident and happy!! You go mom on keeping her this way. I love that she has her own style and is not scared of the world and will show it!!! She is pretty, talented at clothing coordination and looks like she can laugh loud and long. Keep up all the happiness at your place.

My hair is just coming back in after chemo – what did she use in her hair to get that color and sculpture it to stand up like that.

I am there!!!!!!

~Mad(elyn) in Alabama

Love the hair and the stockings and the shoes!

Knowing the difference between unity and uniformity… love that. Many an adult live their life never understanding that very thing. I might use that soon in a ladies church retreat we’re going on next month, where the theme is “Free to Be Me.” Thanks.

Thank you for sharing this… it’s a wonderful post and contains many words of wisdom that are resonating with me. Again, thank you!

I like the fun & spunky energy that Emelie indeed ignites with! :) Way to go, Heather for letting her sparkle in her own unique way! She is truly blessed to have you as her mother! I know you feel blessed beyond measure that Emelie is your daughter!

I think your 12 year old and my 12 year old would get along just fine and dandy! :)

He’s had a wide variety of hair styles – here’s a good shot of his mohawk! And he loves color, too – in his hair, in his clothes – everywhere. He wants to be his own person – but still honor God. How cool is that?

I feel so honored and privileged to be his Mom. I’m so excited about what God has in store for him!

Seeing your beautiful girl – I can’t help but feel the same!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the self expression :)

Thank you for letting her choose her own style. My own moma let me do the same – thrift store clothes mixed with skater jeans, hippie hair and lots of homemade jewelry. The self confidence that comes from being able to work through your own style, and being supported in that journey, is greater than most people realize.

What a testimony this “almost-a-teenager” gal is to good parents! Heather and Jeff – ya done good!!

So amazing… that sweet lady of yours, and her sweet mama too.

That’s awesome! I have 2 younger brothers that look up to me, especially the younger one. I play sort of a father figure role for them because my parents are seperated, so I try to set good examples for them and instill good values.

She’s awesome.

I am using your photos to convince Shawn that I am not the only Mom who thinks it’s ok to let the kid do what they want with their hair.

Hopefully someday Emelie and Rapunzel can meet.

You are a good mama…having unique children is such a blessing if you embrace what makes them special! Thanks for letting her be herself…I know a lot of people who wouldn’t. Kim

Thank you for returning to share this kind of thing. This post has me crying tears of joy & hope. Your relationship with Emilie is a model for me (and what I wish I had with my mom growing up). Every post is an inspiration to me and I hope *that* doesn’t become a burden. It’s lovely to find many gems on the shore, but one or two treasures are still treasured gems. Gah, I can’t find a good way to say that. Hope you know what I mean.