On Saturday I drove up to Atlanta to spend the day with my girl. Well, my biggest girl. She had invited me up to see a musical that was playing at her school on Saturday night and I decided to go up early so we could have lunch and shop a bit before the show. We had the best time together, I just love spending time with my girl. We went to one of her favorite Mexican restaurants for lunch. Upon checking this place out ($10 for a burrito?), I shared with her MY experience with Mexican food in college: frozen bean burritos from 7-11! Must be nice to be her! Clearly, the girl is getting too much cashola for spending.
Then we did some window shopping in the hip district in downtown Atlanta. Talk about the fast way to make one feel O.L.D. We found a funky, feminine dress for Victoria at a vintage shop, she was so cute in it I just couldn’t resist buying it for her. Then we walked around the campus for an hour or so before the show, talking and giggling about… well, everything. The show was hilarious, I loved it. But even more, I loved the company.
It is bittersweet each time we are together, I am reminded how much I miss her. Gosh, I am just nutty about her! She is such an incredible young woman, in so many ways. I have watched her grow into a responsible, loving, funny, bright, self-confident, compassionate, and beautiful person. And as much as I’d love to think I had something to do with it, she is so unlike me, so much her ‘person’, I know she has found her own path, in her own way.
Now that she is gone from our ‘nest’ I find myself cherishing the memories of her childhood all the more. And wondering how in the world she grew up so quickly!? What I wouldn’t give to have her back for just one more year. But I have no regrets. We spent so much time together… laughing, joking, talking, just being. We did several mother/daughter Bible studies which was a fantastic opportunity for me to discuss with her those ‘things’ that we as parents don’t like to discuss 😉 And I like to think she learned a thing or two about herself and what God wants for her, for her life.
What an honor it is to be her mother. I love you, my beautiful girl!
sara says
She is a beautiful girl – isn’t it funny how you can have an empty nest even though yours is far from empty? 🙂
ADELE says
You have a beautiful daughter and I love what you wrote about her. I am sure it is hard not having her at home. Glad you had some one on one time with her. By the way, I LOVE your blog.
Kimi says
She sounds a lot like my daughter and our relationship. What blessings our children are…at all ages.
I love your blog, you have such a sweet spirit.
Kim
AnnaB says
This was absolutely wonderful! Tori is such a beautiful girl…I am so impressed with her! You go girl!
The Ferrill's says
Sweetness! Reading this post makes me miss my big girl, too, and she still lives at home! She’s growing up too fast though. How wonderful that you and Victoria could spend a fun day together, Stefanie! Treasured moments….
Janelle says
what a lovely girl – you should be a proud mama!
I enjoy hearing about the ‘big kids’ and how they’ve grown into their own people.
Sounds like great fun – I’m SO glad you had that time together.
Walker says
Sweet!!
Rebecca says
It’s bittersweet for me to think of writing a post like this someday… although I keep reminding myself that EVERY stage with our children is a blessing.
I know you must miss her!!
Love, Rebecca
babystepstoChina says
Stefanie,
Thank you for that beautiful reminder. My biggest girl is only five and already I can’t understand where the years have gone. This was the reminder I needed today to spend some time with my girls, one on one, not “time” cleaning beside them while they play. Thanks!
Robyn
Chris & Deb says
What a sweet post Stefanie! What a great relationship you both have built!
Mom to my China Posse says
As a Mom to 6 kids ages 2 to 18, I find myself missing my oldest daughter who will be off to college in the fall as well. Doesn’t it seem like yesterday when we sent them off to kindergarten? Glad Tori is having a fun time at college. I hope Kaitlyn finds her way at college as well.
Kathy
Kim says
Ok, your pulling at my heartstrings right now. My oldest son is finishing up his 2nd year of college this week and is coming HOME!! Isn’t incredible how fast time goes? It seems like just yesterday he was getting on the school bus for the first time.
What a blessing God has given you with such a special relationship with your daugther. She looks and sounds just beautiful.
Lynn says
She is a beautiful girl Steph. My oldest is 10 and I just look at him and wonder where the time went, he is my height now!
Jenn says
I so know how you feel. My oldest is now 21 (GASP–how did THAT happen!?) and what you wrote in your post could have been written by me about my darling girl!
Your Tori sounds like such a blessing. Glad to hear you had such a great time with her! Adding to those sweet memories!
Blessings,
Jenn
Tish says
She really is beautiful…just like her mama!
that girl says
and just think — she WANTS her mom to come visit and spend time with her! that’s the best part of all. I’m so glad you had a nice visit with her. She’s a beauty.
Patricia/NYC says
How blessed you are to have such a special relationship with Tori! She is a beautiful girl, inside & out. And, although you don’t think you had much to do with who she is right now, you gave her the guidance & the wings to find out for herself & that is the most perfect gift a momma could give!
So glad you had a great time with your girl! 🙂
Barbie says
Tori is beautiful through and through. She just shines!! You are one blessed momma. 🙂 I love mother and daughter days.
Michelle says
What a special post, Stefanie. Sounds like a great day with your beautiful daughter. Glad to hear you could have some special mother/daugther alone time with your Victoria.
Andrea says
Glad you had a great day!
A
kris says
I can’t imagine that feeling of watching your daughter bloom into her own person, a grown woman. So glad you 2 were able to spend some great quality time together, she is beautiful,inside and out, just like her mom :O)
Jana says
So sweet!! Glad you got to enjoy some mother/daughter time together. She’s beautiful! I’m already lamenting the fact that I only have a few more years with Sawyer before he heads out on his own. Childhood goes by WAY TOO FAST!!
Anita says
Awww….LOVE this post, Stefanie and am sooo glad you had such a wonderful time with YOUR girl!! Can’t believe it’s possible but my oldest, Jon-21 yrs, is graduating from college in a week and then getting married at the end of May. WHERE did that time go to? Believe it or not, I think the college years go even faster…and am so thankful the Lord continues to bless our family with little ones from China!
Wendy says
What a beautiful post. I’m so glad you had such a lovely time together.
Mei Mei Journal says
Lindsay has three more years at home and I will have to make sre not to take them for granted. I will miss her tons when she leaves for college!
You must be so proud of Tori. 🙂
Tami says
Sounds like you and your daughter have such a close relationship. It must be such a blessing to watch your child grow and develop into a young adult that you are obviously so proud of.
Ronda says
Beautiful Post-I can so relate. Your daughter is beautiful-as is the rest of your family. I am glad I found your blog…your journey to Sophie was actually the first “My Adoption Website” story that I followed while we were paperchasing for our Ella. I have loved reading the updates on all your children and now I look forward to watching them grow up.
Keep up the good work
Ronda
P.S.-Laughed out loud about the Box Tops-we actually have relatives across the country save and send them to us-our school is nuts about Box Tops =)
Snowflowers Mum says
I pray that I can have such a wonderful relationship with my daughters one day as you have with Tori, you are an inspiration.
Heather says
Ugh – more tears!
She is beautiful beyond measure and it sounds as though her spirit is so grounded in all that is good.
I love that you have that relationship with her, that you are able to carve out that time, regardless of how empty or not-so-empty your nest may be;) It is so special. You give me an inkling of what the future holds – I miss my big girl and she is only in kindergarten!! You both are pretty much fabulous.
Have a blessed weekend
Heather
Kimber says
wHAT A BEAUTIFUL POST. Every Mom wants this kind of relationship with their grown daughter.
Kim
DiJo says
OK – I am just catching up on life today. This one made me WEEP!!! Oh, how I hope my girls love spending time with me eating expensive burritos when they are in college… I can’t imagine any child of yours not being amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful girl with us!!!!
-Diana