Sigh.
I feel like this year might be full of quite a few posts that begin with ‘sigh’ where Aidan is concerned.
She’s not toddling around our house anymore. She’s not dumping finger paint on the dining room floor. She’s not belting out the Evita soundtrack while wearing a red nightie from her mother’s stash. She’s not a little kid anymore.
I am middled aged and she is on the verge of eighteen. Heavy frickin’ sigh.
But you know what? She’s an awesome 17-and-a-half-year-old. For all the things I wish I could go back and do differently as her mother, she has emerged with grace and wisdom. There are some things she just arrived here with. No matter how hard I tried, I didn’t mess that up.
Heavy freaking sigh.
We are fortunate to have friends who take photos. One of my dearest friends, Margie Scherschligt, photographed my daughter last month in downtown Minneapolis. I wanted to share a few of the shots.
My favorite thing is that she’s wearing one of her Dad’s second-hand shirts (missing a button, no less), her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, her own second-hand boots and just a touch of make up.
God, I love her style and her confidence. I really, really do.
Without further adieu, may I present Aidan Zielske, senior.
Love you, girl.
And thank you, Marige. I love you, too!
dawn says
She looks AMAZING and so happy and content! I can’t even pick a favorite, love them all. She is growing up so fast, getting more beautiful each day. You must have done something right for her to be this awesome and mature young lady. I sigh a lot too and having a 24 year old it never stops. Thanks for sharing her with us!
Francisca says
When I saw the photo above the last photo I said ‘Wow!’. I love that black and white photo and that smile on her face. She is such a natural beauty! All the photos are beautiful but I really liked that one the most!
Mia C. Crespo says
She’s a gorgeous… senior ^^
Very moving post. My little daughter is only 2.5 yers old and all I can hope for, as a mother, is to be able to say some day, as you so beautifully put it “For all the things I wish I could go back and do differently as her mother, she has emerged with grace and wisdom. There are some things she just arrived here with. No matter how hard I tried, I didn’t mess that up.”
Thanks for sharing and being that open about your feelings. Inspiring.
RitaQ says
Oh Cathy… you have a right to sigh.. Just beautiful – apparently inside as well as out.
lara jane says
She’s gorgeous. I can’t believe she’s on the brink of adulthood, she was just a wee lass when you started sharing her with us. She seems like an amazing kid — er, young woman — whether by her divine nature or her kick-ass parents’ nuturing, and she will conquer the world. It’s just crazy that it came on so fast.
And now I’m going to crawl into bed with my 13-year-old and he’ll wake up wondering why I’m sobbing.
Robyn says
Wow, she’s beautiful, Cathy – so natural! Awesome pictures!
SarahJane says
AWESOME PICS! Beautiful daughter, Cathy!
Angela NJ says
Simply stunning! Thank you for sharing these incredible images; I might have dropped a small fortune if these were photos of my daughter. She’s lovely.
Just the other day, my husband said “you know, she’s only here for 8 more years.” It made me want to put my fingers in my ears and sing la la la. I share your sigh in more ways than one (especially since we are the same age and I hope I have half as much wit as you when mine’s a senior).
I’ve been reading your posts for a long time – you are one blessed mama – and they are lucky to have you, too. Wishing you and your family well during this big year!
Honoré says
Such a lovely young woman…inside and out. Feel super proud, she’s a gem.
Cheers~
Lori says
Beautiful girl Cathy. Sighing seems so appropriate.
Sandi says
Great pictures. I love the black and white one.
Keianna says
Beautiful inside and out. We are sometimes too hard on ourselves as parents. She seems like a wonderful young lady from your posts. I have to say that the black and white headshot, with the flower shirt, is simply stunning.
ee k. says
I’ve been following your work for year now – your girl is so gorgeous! You and Dan make beautiful people!
{vicki} says
Aidan,
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!
Jenell says
A beautiful daughter and beautiful photos! I love that Aiden is Aiden – she’s who SHE wants to be. That’s awesome and amazing! The looks like she has confidence and that will take her far!
And Margie is talented, too! Great eye with that lens.
Kendra B says
Wow!! Great pics of a gorgeous daughter!!
Leora Henkin says
Wow, Cathy, all I can say is Wow!..and sigh…and hugs…She is amazing…
Lynn M says
Gorgeous shots of a very lovely girl. Hang in there, Mom. You’re in for a ride after high school. LOL!
Mary R says
you did good Cathy – I can see how confident Aiden is! she is going places and will be amazing at what ever she chooses to do. These photos are gorgeous!
Britiney @ Consider the Lilies says
Oh mercy. The black & white with he hair down took my breath away. She’s so amazing and you have every right to be a proud proud (verklempt) mama. My oldest is Cole’s age and my heart seizes every time I think about him venturing off into the world. But he’s the most amazing person and I can’t wait to see him take the world by the horns. And I know Aiden will do the same. Great job, CZ.
Sugar Creek Farm says
This was me at this time last year… I can attest that there will be many heavy sighs! I feel you on wishing we could get a re-do on certain things. I always say my kids are turning out great in spite of me, not because of me. Beautiful girl, beautiful pictures!
Jennifer says
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I’m in the same boat…my daughter is 18 and getting ready to make a life of her own. I know that’s the way of it and how it should be, but I can’t help but feeling that it all passed way too quickly and I’ll shortly be out of a job.
heidig says
She’s certainly beautiful but, more importantly, she sounds like a wonderful girl!
dawny dee says
wow – just wow. such a perfect capture of a point in time. the world is hers. how real and wonderful.
Kris Van Allen says
These are the best kind of senior photos!! Her whole wonderful personality shines through. My youngest, the only girl, also graduates this spring; I feel as though they’ve grown up together, and that if they could meet, Aidan and Grace would be gret friends. They have the same style, confidence, and outlook on the world.
Love every minute of it, girl.
Lohersh says
The best thing about Aidan (I mean besides her creativity, sweet face, twinking eyes, and awesome smile) is the fact that she just exudes confidence and seems so comfy in her own skin. THAT is true beauty! 🙂
Jocelyn says
Ah! a little bittersweet! ……….brings back the memories of my boys entering there last year of high school. It still doesn’t seem real. Now grown (22 and 25) but still growing and learning and finding their own way. Parenthood is a different adventure every step of the way!
Your girl is just beautiful!
Sue O says
I too love the photos, but especially the black and white with her hair down. Just gorgeous! You need to give yourself more credit…you and Dan have given her all the tools she needs to be this confident young woman. I know from experience that it’s way too easy to see the mistakes we think we made, but a lot of therapy has taught me that I did a lot of things right.
Lauren Hershey says
In the black and white one, by the way, I can really still see a remnant of little Aidan from the covers of Clean and Simple so long ago (and not so long ago)…
Kari Bh. says
Lovely! I think it’s great that she had some done with her hair down too. To capture another side of her look & personality.
Christina says
Awesome. Breathtakingly beautiful shots. Thanks for sharing”
Christina says
Loving Aidan’s dare I say slightly androgynous super cool grundge vibe. Don’t get me wrong — she is very feminine! But I like women who downplay it. Maybe because we live in this hyper-sexualized age. I dunno.
Anyway. I still love looking thru your first book, Cathy. It’s incredible how fast kids grow up. My son will be seven soon. Where did the time go!
Christina says
Of course it’s grunge. Sheesh. Sorry.
Michelle Meisenbach says
LOVE THEM ALL!!! but the B/W with her hair down is breathtaking. You done good, mom! 🙂
Sherry Carr-Smith says
Gorgeous and radiant, that’s your girl.
Paulette says
:o) thanks for sharing Cathy…
Janice M says
Great photos!
I had these same feeling when my daughter (also my oldest)was a senior. That was 10 years ago and the feeling hasn’t changed. In fact at times it gets worse, like today. You see today is my baby girl’s 3rd wedding anniversary. I look at those photos and say; “Weren’t you just born?” I know how you feel. All I can say is cry when you need to, hug her when you need and when she needs it. This is the year it all starts to change, but in the words of Martha Stewart – “It’s a good thing.” Hugs Cathy, from one Mom to another.
Kropster says
Forget college … she can just go straight to the NYC and start her modeling career! The camera loves Aidan. Great photos.
Leanne in CA says
She’s beautiful!! Love the confidence and sweetness she shows. It’s been great watching her grow up. Have a fabulous senior year Aidan. Thanks for sharing the photos with us Cathy.
elise blaha says
Ohhh my heart. They are all my favorite.
Tracy says
Beautiful!
Denise Rotell says
Weren’t we just calling her “one-three” 2 seconds ago?? So beautiful & so grown up. It goes so fast!
Kristen says
She is so beautiful! I have 3 girls and one is 13….and I am constantly anxious about it and the years to come. Mostly because of how I was as a teenager. And I don’t mean that I was moody and difficult (but I was), but I mean how insecure I was and all the things I missed out on because of it. But your daughter is so pretty and she looks CONFIDENT and fun….if my daughter turns out half as cool and self-assured as Aiden seems, I will be so proud (and relieved).
Rochelle says
I don’t know why you think you should have done anything different. . . . .
She seems amazing, just the way she is.
Kelli says
wow. she’s looks like the one you want to have on your side, a confidant, a dear friend, a cool stylist! genuine…what a blessing!
Liz says
She is so beautiful Cathy and the photo’s are stunning! You must be so, so proud – and rightly so!
jeannebpellerin@yahoo.com says
She’s a beauty!
Sandy says
Congratulations, Cathy. I’m glad you’re getting to treasure her in this way. Sandy
debbie McIntyre says
Love the photo shoot and it’s hard to believe it’s Senior year! The first and last black ad white photos are simply gorgeous! What a beautiful beautiful girl. Know you’re proud, and it’s an emotional year with big choices ahead and lots of walks down memory lane. Thanks for sharing the photo shoot with us.
crakar@sbcglobal.net says
Beautiful and I am sure she is the way she is because of the awesome person who molded her since she was a tiny seed and now blooming beautifully! Congratulations!
Sharon says
When I saw the first photo I thought “she’s so pretty”, but then I scrolled down and thought “WOW, SHE’S GORGEOUS”! I love her skin, that fresh pretty face, her confidence shows through. I love the photos of your daughter! How proud of her you must be.
cathy says
Oh. My. God. We were. BIG sigh.
Kim L says
As the Mom of a 20 and 17 year old, I’m right there with the “sigh”.
Your daughter is beautiful!
Abby P. says
Gorgeous pictures — they completely show that she’s comfortable in her own skin. You done good!
Mel says
Where did the time go?? She is a beautiful young woman!!
Laura says
What great pictures. So love, and am not surprised, that she chose to wear her favorite clothes and be herself in the pictures. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Pam says
Nicely done…
Barbara says
Beautiful!
madeline St onge says
She is gorgeous Cathy. She looks like a fun girl too, I think you and Dan done good bringing her up to where she is today
Cheryl says
She is absolutely gorgeous, Cathy. I love the mischievous grin. Daughters are a special gift. x
RobynS says
Love <3! Enjoy every day.
Julie says
She is a lovely young woman, not only in the looks department but you’ve shared her abilities and personality traits – so we feel like we kind of know her.
– you should be very proud.
Kristi Sikora-Blankenship says
She is just amazing. Watching kids grow up makes me sad. I have loved mine at every age…. but I sort of would have kept them little forever and ever….. she is stunning.
outi says
Aren’t we grateful to have daughters! She is just lovely!
Pamela K. says
These are beautiful! My son is a senior, too. This year has been bittersweet.
Keshet.starr@gmail.com says
She is gorgeous! I love that second to last photo the best–breathtaking:)
April says
She is just beautiful….like you can just tell she is gorgeous all over the inside too. 🙂 You should be proud Mama!
cathy says
Very proud, indeed!