Memories with Mom Wrap-up
We did it! We pulled it off. Maria and I were so happy to have this whole “Memories with Mom” event in the bag. We’ve been working on it for months. Even though it wasn’t very hard and we had a ton of fun doing it, we were super worried that something would go wrong. Our worries mostly stemmed from the fact that we had no idea what we were doing because no one had done it before us to leave some kind of guideline. You mean we could have ordered free stuff from vendors if we had hit them up months earlier? Or how much do you budget for food for 125 people? Will 125 people actually show up? Just a whole lotta guesswork and a few misses here and there but WE DID IT AND IT WAS FABULOUS!
The walls were a huge hit and turned out exactly like I hoped they would. Everyone was posing with their mom and friends in front of them. It was a really sweet event with friends and moms mingling and sharing the Girl Power love.
Of course “The Talk” was a little traumatizing for some but we got through it with a whole lot of humor. The speaker handled everything so well. Nobody came up to me afterwards upset so I’m thinking it all went down okay. Being a girl is tough but we are more than capable of handling whatever life throws at us.
The caterer (who is not pictured, that’s my friend Simone who is awesomely squirting out salad dressing) turned out to be less than exceptional but there was enough food and it was hot so I say it was still a success. Nobody really expected anything that tasty with an event this big. The fact that there was even food at all was a win in my book.
The blocks were very popular too and found themselves going home with everyone who pitched in and helped us clean up (which went smashingly by the way. Put a bunch of moms in a room and stuff gets DONE.) It was really fun to see the girls all walking around looking for their favorite quote.
I had a great time. I flubbed up the video like a newbie (you know how AV equipment can be so complicated when you feel 125 eyeballs on your back) and I was too shy to actually get up in front and speak on a microphone but I would totally do everything again in a minute. I love these girls! I hope we’ve started a big conversation that lasts with them through their lives and they are never embarrassed to be a girl because being a girl is awesome!
9 Comments
Cathy
Watching you plan all of this on IG made ME want to attend! The boards are fabulous and your dress is perfect. I hope you got a shot of you by yourself (or with Bug) in front of the floral wall-you coordinatd! And hope you use it in your home it’s so pretty.
Saple
its beautiful.. great work
Melinda
I have loved watching this all come together. Great job!
Heather
Congratulations! Looks terrific as expected!
Ginny
Awesome!!! Love it!!! Such an important message!
Kristen
Congratulations at making such an important topic, beautiful and fun! Your ideas came together so nicely.
Elaine C. B.
I’m so glad the event went well! What a cool thing to do for young ladies. I love the blocks and the rainbow vortex, but I REALLY adore the pink flower selfie wall. It’s fantastic!
Evilisa
OUTSTANDING! Good job. I’m kinda jealous
Lynne aka gingermog
I think this was a wonderful idea and I’m so proud of you helping a group of young girls embrace womanhood. I think, in comparison of my own shame, embarrassment, denial and secretiveness of developing into a woman as a 12/13 year old. Yes, we all get used to it but I wish there hadn’t been so much fear and secrecy. This event sounds wonderful. Very positive and self esteem building. In Sri Lanka and other cultures they have “big girl parties” similar to your event to celebrate when a girl begins to menstruate. Although as a teen I would have been mortified at this public announcement ( such were the negative signals I received growing up) I think it’s a terrific idea that such an important transition is celebrated. Woohoo let’s celebrate woman hood!!!
I’ve also heard of ceremony’s to commemorate menopause and the end of child rearing years.