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The Summer She's Thirteen
July 17, 2012
Watching your little girl grow from chubby-cheeked baby (we called her "chipmunk" cheeks) into a confident and beautiful young woman is the privilege of a lifetime. Watching each of our children grow into who they are is one of life's sweet parenting gifts.
I consider it a privilege also when she asks, "Mom, can you take some photos of me?" When she invites me to capture her, in this moment, through the lens. The blue tank and aqua gypsy scarf that highlights her gorgeous bright eyes. The blue nail polish against black capris. Her unpainted skin and dark eyebrows. Golden tresses lanky at the end of a hot summer day. Oh, I don't want to forget this.
Her. Right now.
She did a pretty good job with her self portraits but when she couldn't get exactly what she wanted she asked for my help. I was oh so happy to oblige.
(And yes, I have Céilne's full permission to post these. We Tougas girls believe in sharing beauty, even our own.)
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Kika on July 17, 2012, 4:17 p.m.
Lovely.
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Karen on July 17, 2012, 5 p.m.
Celine is such a beautiful person to know and love - and to see these photos of her simple, natural beauty as a teenager...this Nana's without words.
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Abigail on July 17, 2012, 10:58 p.m.
She is a beautiful girl -- looks like from the inside out. So glad she has confidence already.
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Hilaree on July 18, 2012, 12:52 a.m.
Oh the vulnerability here...the strength and wonder of age thirteen! Something struck me hard in your last sentence..."We Tougas girls believe in sharing beauty, even our own.". You've unexpectedly loosed a stuck, sad part in me, the part where I deny my own beauty and turn it into shame or where an ugly lie has taken residence as truth. I am thinking about this. I may need to cry a bit. Thank you, and thank your daughter...from one little homeschooling mama in New Hampshire.
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Catherine Forest on July 18, 2012, 1:04 a.m.
I have goose bumps Renee. This is such a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing so much mama love, pride and beauty! Your sweet Celine is amazing!
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Michelle on July 18, 2012, 12:50 p.m.
Beautiful! What an exciting age.
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Heather on July 18, 2012, 3:06 p.m.
What a special special year, for both of you :).
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Charity Johnson on July 18, 2012, 5:02 p.m.
This is beautiful! Celine, you are growing into such a lovely young lady. I enjoy reading your stories and seeing your family grow, Renee!
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Robina on July 20, 2012, 12:43 a.m.
So wonderful!
It blows my mind to think Wren (who will be 5 this November) will be thirteen someday!
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Natalia on Aug. 30, 2012, 12:40 p.m.
Celine you're amazing! I wish I was like you when I was 13 years old, instead I was so insecure that I couldn't grasp live in my hand - it's bothering me till this day and now I'm 27. And seeing you with such a pretty smile make my heart happy, because I know that you are such a happy and beautiful girl :)
I'm sorry for any grammar mistakes, I was doing my best :)
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Beth Wagenius on July 17, 2012, 3:36 p.m.
Beautiful young girl. Capture her beauty and youth! Tell her I love her gypsy scarf....do happen to know where more could be found?
renee on July 17, 2012, 3:46 p.m.
Oh my goodness Beth I bought that scarf years ago at a Goodwill. We've both used used it as a belt and pretty head scarves over the years. It has a permanent place in Céline's clothing stash now.
Beth Wagenius on July 18, 2012, 5:43 p.m.
I love the colors! I can see why you'd keep it around.