This has been an unbelievably busy week for our family, full of milestones and celebrations, rites of passage, new beginnings and tearful goodbyes. Many of these were for our wonderful and talented daughter. She graduated from high school (‘honours with distinction’, I might add, as a very proud Mama…..yep, shamelessy boasting!) She has said many good-bye’s, to most of her friends, as they have returned home, and home is very far away for the majority of them, being from an international school. She is getting ready to leave home and set out to University,which is a big adventure for all of us. She also attended her ‘Formal’ dinner and dance. Most often, when she is dressed up and celebrating, I am very fortunate to get 5 minutes with her in front of the lens. That, of course, is very understandable, as she has gone through all of her teen years with her Mother trying to memorialize every moment ‘on film’, poor girl. But this time was different!! This time, SHE ASKED ME to take pics.A little background…..

Since Grade 9 Christine (Tine) has had a ripped out page from a magazine stuck to her wall, a picture of her ‘dream dress’ for Formal. So, for Christmas, we gave her the gift of spending some time with the ULTRA talented Barb Matchett (Frankly Scarlett) to design and create her dream dress. Well, the little black cocktail dress from her ‘minor niner’ days just wasn’t going to cut it, so for months she sketched and researched, and finally met with Barb to bring the dream to life. I didn’t want to know anything about it (that was because I didn’t trust myself to bite my ‘Mom tongue’ hard enough, so I removed the temptation:), not even the colour, length, style…..nothing. This became really fun for us, and it was really exciting to see the big ‘unveiling’. She looked so beautiful and it was such a great day.

I am so proud of this young lady, and excited for what the future will be for her. I love you honey….you are beautiful in so many ways.

And from graduation day, here is a pic of the two most important, influential, beautiful, inspiring and wonderful women in my life….my sister and my daughter. I love you both so much, and am so proud of each of you.

Thank you so much to all of the family (and friends:) that made the day so special. You have all been so important in Tine’s life and your support of her is truly treasured.