Do you guys remember your “awkward phase?” We all went through it, except for that random lucky girl who scathed through life always beautiful and graceful. You know who you are. I was not that girl. Not even close. And I think my awkward stage went from age 6 through age 25, so maybe a little longer than your average. Maybe I am still actually in it and I happily unaware.
As a tweenager, I was happily unaware at the prime of my awkward stage. A few weeks ago I traveled to Massachusetts and reminisced with one of my best friends whose sister had just unearthed the proof and I wanted to share it with you. Before you take a look, I want to give you vital background information.
In 7th grade, our class took a trip to Sharon, MA to a campsite and stayed in cabins for a week of bonding and team building. We were going to be in the woods and getting dirty, so were told to bring clothes we could get dirty. I understood that to be “clothes you don’t like” and packed clothes I would never otherwise wear, not even caring about what the boys in my class might thing. Big mistake. Because I packed this sweatshirt with attached collar my grandmother had given me….
Yes, it’s a bunch of cute cuddly koalas in a tree. But that doesn’t even cover it with what is going on in this photo…. I had a perm, complete with permed bangs, and braces. We all thought this counselor was pretty hot, so naturally we all wanted photos with him… I am sure he was thinking I was just as hot.
The good news is that I’ve grown up and out of it and ended up nabbing someone even hotter than that counselor, and he would love me even if I were to pull that sweatshirt out from the archives and wear it. Because he doesn’t judge me.
Photo by Jalapeno Photography
Why am I sharing all of this with you? Well it was refreshing to see these old photos (oh, yes, photos… there were more….), and it’s been on my mind a bit with a book I am reading (more to come on that later). I want to pass lessons on to my own kids, and I also want to open my heart to you, my readers, in hopes that maybe it helps you out. And if nothing else, you are at least laughing at these photos. But know you are laughing with me!
(This was 8th grade so my perm was growing out, but windbreakers were totally in).
My kids have already started the orthodontics journey, and if they are in fact our children, they are bound to go through an awkward phase. Chris and I were not the lucky immune. Actually, if you google “awkward phase” there is a good chance you’d come up with our photos.
Photo by Jalapeno Photography
I want Sawyer and Emmy to see my awkwardness in all of its glory and know that they are not alone. Chris and I have been there and we understand the pain, the braces, the glasses (me), the late development, and the feeling of just not being “cool” enough. But looking back on these photos, I am so glad that I did have my awkward phase because it was character building at its finest and taught me about friendship and what truly are the important things in life. I learned that true beauty is not found on the exterior; it’s found in the heart and soul.
I want me kids to also learn to dig deep beneath the surface, look into the eyes of another human being and see all the beauty that lies there.
Photo by Jalapeno Photography
And beyond that, something that is even harder to achieve, I want them to continue to look at their own reflection and see their own beauty and sweetness looking back at them. I don’t want them to see the braces, and acne, and glasses, perm (just kidding, I will never let that happen!), but see what I see when I look at them into the goodness of the beating heart beneath the skin’s surface.
Photo by Jalapeno Photography
We are moving into the double digits this summer as Sawyer will be turning 10. The road ahead of us has many teachable moments along the way, and I am armed with awkward photos galore to make those moments honest, open, and also laughable.
And thanks to Jalapeno Photography for capturing me now, as a grown woman who didn’t wear her retainer and has teeth that are imperfect, still is a little goofy and awkward, but owning it. I wave my dork flag high in the air!
And now, just for fun, I wanted to prove that the cute, cuddly tree-hugging bears from down under could be pretty chic, too. Just not on a sweatshirt.
(Sources linked below each photo.)
A Koala Shirt I Would Rock (Because a koala riding a bicycle)
And just in case any of you have an ugly sweatshirt party coming up any time soon, or you need a koala sweatshirt like mine, I found you this little gem. It doesn’t appear to have the attached collar, but you could always sew your own on. DIY, anyone?
And with that, I will leave you! Go out there and wave your dork flag, embrace your awkwardness, and see the beauty that lies within.
