That’s right it’s Women’s History Month and so time to sit back and appreciate those that came before us. Typically this month we look at prominent figures in history like Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marie Curie, and so many others. While we should be thankful of these wonderful women, it’s the women in our own history that we really should be appreciating. The number one most important woman in my life has been my mother…

My mother, Mary Ellen, is the 3rd in the line of Marys in my family. The youngest of 4 born and raised in a small lumber town of Wharton, PA was born in October 1965. Went from the little hunting/fishing town in Pennsylvania where she spent her whole life in a k-12 school and learned her ABC’s from Sesame Street to the big world of being a Corpsman in the US Navy. Here is she met my father, married him, and had me at the age of 19.

My parents got married at the court house with a little get together after and these are the only images I have from that say, equivalent to 4×6′s today, not professionally printed so they’re very contrasty and have faded with a color cast. I understand my parent’s didn’t really have any money, I mean my mom made her dress the night before while being 7 months pregnant with me, but I’ve always wished there were at least a couple larger professional images of them from this day.

A couple months later I came along and this once spoiled (her words not mine! lol) child suddenly got thrown into motherhood. She had her quirks… like she couldn’t imagine breast feeding and having some kid’s mouth on her breast lol… and she struggled a lot, but she was my mom.

She is the most creative person I know and I can’t wait for her to make my wedding dress, just as she made so many outfits for me over the years including the most beautiful Easter dresses. She also makes amazing cakes, gardens, reads more than anyone else I know (including me!), and just puts forth everything into whatever is asked of her.

I’m sad I don’t have more images of my parents from my childhood, and especially my mom as she was taking the snapshots. I really wish she had taken some time to go get a makeover and do something for herself and for my brother and I by having some professional portraits done of her or her and my father. As it is I only have 2-3 professional family portraits. You know the one of all of us in a studio, my dad standing behind my mom who’s sitting and me next to her? lol Yup both of them look exactly alike in style and pose, we’re just a little older .

One of the many Easter dresses

Over the years my mom has gotten older… put on some weight… taken it off…had a baby… and the whole cycle, but she is more beautiful now at 46 than ever!  I only wish my mother knew how absolutely beautiful she is. I mean I don’t even get offended when someone mistakes her for my sister because she definitely holds her age well, better than many 20-30 year olds I’ve seen! There is so much history with my mom and so much I can’t say here, but I know this, my mom has been there for me left and right. I may not always listen, but later I realize she’s always been right and there is nothing I value more now than her advice (though yes I still have problems taking it sometimes lol, what can I say I’m a hard headed person just like my momma). She’s reaching the prime of her life and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes when she steps out and follows her dreams, just as she’s urged me to do my whole life.

In honor of this special month I’m offering the first 5 women who contact me with stories of how deserving their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or best friends are that are over the age of 45 a special session for that wonderful person so they can remember how beautiful they are and take some time for themselves this month. All you have to do is write it on Facebook, write a comment on this blog, or use the contact form above, but let me know all about this special person and what makes them that way and they could be on here next! (Please note that travel fees may apply if outside the Greenville/Spartanburg/ Laurens area).

Also don’t forget the 1/2 priced wedding contest- book a consultation by the 15th to enter, and the Perfect Date Contest- http://www.emeraldrosephoto.com/2012/win-the-perfect-date/ which ends this Wednesday at 12:01am!