Momma Love

In October 2009, I shared this on my blog, naming my Mom the Warrior Queen of the month. I'm thinking of bringing that post back, highlighting a fellow blogger as the WQ of the Month, but today is about my mom.

Today i want to identify one of my favorite warrior queens. She is seriously one of the strongest people I know. Life has thrown so much at her but she refuses to let it hold her back. She's grown a lot stronger in the past 18 months. I love my mom.
As a child, and up until a few years ago, i never realized her strength. Everyday she refuses to give up, always doing all she can for my brother and I. Especially when we have the opportunity and drive to do something. She has always supported us, even if / when we tried to walk all over her.
Mostly, she has a strong heart. She gets out of bed everyday in spite of the chaos life throws her way. It's so inspirational. She loves with more than I've ever seen. I get this trait from her.
She says I taught her to be a WQ, but without knowing it, she's been teaching me since day one. And now, we are each others' strength. Without her love and support I would be NOWHERE near the person I am today.
I love you mommy. =]

I think most of us go through childhood loving and appreciating our mommas but not realizing the strength they have. We don't realize the sacrifices they have made for us. Now that I am at a point in my life where I could be a mother in a few years, my mother's neverending sacrifices astound me.

My brother and I are both adults who could support ourselves, yet she allows us to live in her house to save money to reach our goals. I try to cook her dinner as often as I can, and each time she is thrilled because she doesn't expect it. She expects nothing but love in return.

Many of you know that my mom made my wedding dress. She spent her entire spring break - finally a break from all of her teacher tasks - working on my dress and preparing for my out of town friends to stay at her house.

She is exceptional.

Please remember to appreciate your mother every day, and give her a call if it's been a little too long. And please, be understanding on Mother's Day of those around you who may not share your feelings. Be sensitive to those who have lost their mothers, who never knew their mothers and those whose mothers have fallen short.

Have a wonderful weekend,



Check out one of our featured Warrior Queens:

Wedding Wednesday: Why I chose Handmade

I never wanted to stand in a store and try on dresses while the closest people to me told me if it looked good or not. I don't really like trying on clothes and I generally have a specific look in mind when I go shopping. I know what looks good on me, and it isn't usually what's popular. My whole life people have told me to try on this instead and handed me countless items that might look good on me, but I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable in.

I wanted to avoid all of that. I watch Say Yes to the Dress, I know how people are. I know my friends and family aren't like that. But I've gone wedding dress shopping with a friend and it just seems like such a process to get in and out of these dresses.

I like vintage and vintage-inspired dresses. It would be difficult to find an affordable vintage dress - especially in my size.

I hate being fawned over like that. I like getting my makeup / nails / hair done, but I get pretty uncomfortable when people keep squealing at me.

All of that aside, it just always seemed like that is the route I would take.

My grandmother made her own wedding dress.

My grandparents at their wedding

My mother made her own wedding dress, and a couple of others. I knew ever since I was little I wanted her to make mine.

Distinctly, I remember when she made our hairdresser's wedding dress. Lisa D wanted a sexy, slinky dress that looked absolutely stunning. The fabric, however, hated my mom and she hated it. I remember sitting with her at night as she swore again and again that she would never make a wedding dress. Little me piped up "But mom! What about my dress?" Of course, she said. Of course she would make my dress.




^^Our "we are so excited to be fabric shopping" faces

Having my mom make my dress makes it so much more personal for me. I teared up when we went fabric shopping (fabric paid for by my godmother) and when my best friend went with my "adopted mom" to get a petticoat.



^^ My godmother, my mom, moh, and I



^^Petticoat shopping with my moh, "little sis" and other mom

  This is what felt right to me. We've always been creative and I've always crafted together what I want and had my mom execute it. She gets me. I can tell her that I like this and this and this and something absolutely perfect comes out. She's an amazing lady, my momma.

I'm not going to ask her to make my veil because I don't want something long. I already have something in mind for that, but the dress was the make or break it [duh, it is THE dress of my life] and I could just never envision that dress looking like something I could find, or coming from someone who doesn't know me.

Thank you momma! I can't wait to see what your creation looks like, and to feel wrapped in that fabric of love, with more love stitched into every inch.

What made you decide on your dress and style?  Let everyone know at the #WeddingWednesday link up at Chits & Giggles