This is a little something different from me. Something I have found that I love to do. Something I hope I do more of in the future. I am so happy this was a total surprise for him on Christmas Eve and that I was a part of making her idea a reality.
thank you!
I can proudly say that for the rest of my/your life you will know 2 very specific people. Davis (your future husband) who you walked down the preschool graduation aisle pushing his wheelchair. I know without a doubt that there will be another aisle in your near future. That is for another letter! Then there is Miss Mia. Who you think hangs the moon. Neither one can talk with words but you seem to have the best and most fun conversations with the both of them! It is enough to make a grown man weep to see you with them. When you make a friend you make them forever.
it never changes.
I am not sure what you hear. I am not sure what you feel when you are with them but your heart is all over them in their presence. I do think there is a language. I think there is a person there communicating with you guys and no one else will ever understand it. And i love that. I know it is hard to understand and I have told you before about the angels around your crib when you starting having seizure at 15 months. You and I have talked about it before. I have seen them. And while you are quite jealous of that you will see them too one day! But I am certain they are there with you when you are with Davis and Mia. Helping you to hear them.
Then there are the animals. You have the same conversations with them as you do Mia and Davis. It is precious. I have about a million conversations on my phone of you talking a butterfly into flying. Coaching along into opening up so the butterfly can be set free.
Then there is your Charlie. The dog you longed for every day until we bought him for you. His birthdate just so happens to be your birthdate! How perfect is that. Not only do you love animals here you love them everywhere. It does not matter where we go your love language is there. Speaking to people.
it never changes.
I am so content in knowing you will come down the stairs 2 times before bed. One for water. The other for a hug. Your Toms will be worn with no socks summer or winter and there is a continous account to order the same pair every time you outgrow them. Then there is the subject of food. Always no meat. Cheese on everything and chocolate for dessert. These are the things I love and…
it never changes.
i love you and that will also never change.
love, mama
Head on over to the ever amazing rashmi pappu and check out her love, too! She has put together the sweetest birthday note to her daughter with the years images to match. She always puts her heart and soul into her letter.
She does have such an amazing heart and sees far beyond what the eyes see. To watch her around Davis and Mia just melts our hearts. She is such a cheerleader for them has the biggest smile on her face when she’s around them. She’s my inspiration!
jamie…the first and last images tell the entire story…your words make the story even more beautiful…and the light that seems follow her is amazing beautifully written sweet friend
Jaime.. beautiful letter. The last picture with Charlie who shares your daughter’s birthday.. so sweet. You make me a better mom without even knowing it. Thank you.
How happy am I that I reached out to you that day, that I decided to step out of my comfort zone and say hello to a perfect stranger. You are an incredible woman, photographer, and mother. I’m so glad to be a part of this project with you, and so blessed to have found a kindred spirit. xoxo
jaime, there is so much beauty here, in your words, your honesty, but then there is the story that tells itself between the lines, that speaks through these pictures. ‘it never changes’…so simple and powerful and right. you know those things that make her who she is like you know yourself. it’s so obvious and striking and like pure goodness to witness. oh, the love…
Jaime, this is beautiful – the words that are written, and the ones unsaid tell the story – and the beautiful images only supplement that love
Fell in love with the last image and with her beautiful soul. It is very warming to learn about her nurturing heart and her love for animals. I look forward to learn more about her through your letters.
Oh those sweet babes with that pup. So endearing. I love your bit about things never changing and that will always be the same and this is what we hold onto. This is the remembering and never letting go. This is time standing still, but even if time doesn’t stand still we always have those things that don’t change and this is what makes us the happiest and I believe it is such a sweet reminder in your letter. So beautiful and lovely. I adore the sweet faces, puppy noses and butterflies.
[...] mothers. jaime lackey is one of them. her heart and vision and bond with her kids is awesome, http://www.jaimelackeyphotography.com/blog/sameness-letters-to-our-daughters/ Categories: letters to our daughters Comments [...]
Dear Master Maddux,
Can I be you for a day? If I actually asked you that question you would look at me weird and just flat out say ”no” and walk off. Never thinking of it again. But there are things that I hate making you do that I know in the long run are making you the beautiful person you are today….
making you do your school work, which I HATE with a passion, too!
teaching you all the small things you have missed along the way
tying your shoes 3 or 4 times a days when your fingers have no idea where they are suppose to go to make the super cool knot
they are annoying
they are time consuming
they are as you say… “the bad word that starts with the ’S’ and then whisper the word “stupid” in my ear (ADORABLE)
I agree.
you are such an amazing worker. you work hard. you work every day. you work until you have nothing left. Not many people can do that. Not many people will do that.
One thing you will never have to do is wonder if you did enough. If you never get past 5th grade but you hug people.
We are fine!
If you never learn how to cut your sandwhich but you love with your whole heart.
We are fine!
If your showers take an hour bc you are trying to keep bubbles off of you but you are a great friend.
We are fine!
Take your heart and walk through this life just as you have been doing from the start. You touch people’s lives every day and you have no clue. Never worry if you did enough…
you got this.
Now check out a girl who I stalk quite regularly that if she knew how much I look at her work and instagram feeds she may just de-friend me!
Oh I LOVE this post. It is so honest and forthcoming and just what motherhood is about. I think our kiddos think we do things without completely sympathizing and it is totally the opposite. I am SO excited to follow you (stalk you LOL!! Its mutual!!) in this project! I adore you and your beautiful family and am so happy you are with us sweety! And that photo!!! Oh my heart is fit to burst!
jaime, i am really not sure how you got all of that love to fit on one page. how you use words sparingly but perfectly. a direct line from your heart. i don’t know you yet, but after reading this i feel a tremendous amount of love for you and your daughter. i see that your way together is your own, full of crazy challenges and joyful love, and that no one can touch it. but you spoke of universals that swim through my own heart. and oh my, as i write this i keep staring at that last image, at your gaze. and here come the real, big tears…xoxoxo
Beautiful letter to sweet Maddux. You are such a good mama Jaime. Such an honour to get to know you through this project. xoxo
oh such wonderful words jaime! i can’t wait to get to know you and miss M better through this wonderful project xoxo
I smiled really big at the bad word that starts with “S”! Haha..Really comforting to see how you put importance in things that are really important being a person. Look forward to reading more of your letters, Jaime.
Oh Jaime, yes. She’s got this. <3 What touching words you've shared with Maddux. I'm so glad I can share in your letters. 
Jaime, I’m so thrilled that you’ve joined us on this project and journey – I love that you’ve started off with such an amazingly written busting with pride high-five to your wonderful daughter – “You got this” just sums it all up xx
Jaime, I had no idea of your story. Until I came here. I am forever changed and moved by your experience and life with Maddux and I look forward to sharing in your/her story and journey through this project. It is brave and strong, just like your Maddux. I cannot even imagine wanting to “be able to clean up toys” for no reason other than your child has played with them and that this was your whole day. For this, I am grateful. You show a side to motherhood that is so graceful, patient and kind. You are Maddux’s perfect teacher. You are also our perfect teacher. It is real. My eyes have been opened. I am grateful.
I am part of an amazing group of mom photogrpahers who want to share the love of their boys with the world. How ever short, long, sweet, oozing and precious the post may be, I bet by the end you get a sense of how we feel about our boy hearts.
my boy.
There is just something about a mama and her boy. It is hard to describe but I feel like for my first post that instead of posting a million images of him I will post the one I love the most. The one that shows his heart. His crazy is for next post!
As a mama you want nothing more than to know you have raised a boy with a sweet heart, one who cares for others, who helps others, who puts girls first and is the one who everyone trusts. That is exactly my husband and has in turn become my son.
My favorite is that he loves his sissy as much as he loves me and the same goes for his nana and grammy. He is always right there. Not far from your leg, your lap or your heart. Hoping when he is older I can turn and he will still be…
right there.
Please take a look at the circle of photog mommies around the world who are also sharing their boys today! Start with Bre Thurston of Bre Thurston Photography. Enjoy the sweetness.
[...] following along the blog circle by heading over to check out Jaime Lackey’s beautiful photography. Pin It ← Fire [...]
Oh I can see why that’s your favorite photo, it’s beautiful! I love your words and they remind me so much of how I was feeling this month.
So so so beautiful Jaime! This needs to be framed! Love love love xx
so very sweet!!! I have one that’s similar that you took of me and my sweet boy! I LURVE IT and will cherish it forever and always!!! Don’t you kind of feel sorry for the girls in the future that set their eyes on this little guys that have our hearts?? It will take one amazing little lady for me to relinquish my hold on him, that’s for sure!
just gorgeous, Jaime…this image makes me tear up.
This image just makes my heart melt. Isn’t it an amazing blessing to have a husband who is the perfect example for your son?? Such a gift for your little guy.
Beautiful!
One of the most gorgous images i’ve seen Jaime, and your letter was just so sweet. I love that you’re in this circle with us, I’m so looking forward to future letters from you. <3
Love this photo! Boys do have a way of melting their momma’s hearts!
What a perfect image to represent your sweet boy! And I love to hear that your little guy has developed those traits of your husband.
Such an intimate, precious image Jaime! Your words are beautiful, and I adore that you are providing such a beautiful example of love and compassion for your sweet boy <3
What a beautiful moment, Jaime. It’s perfect in every way. xoxo
This is so tender and sweet, Jaime.
Absolutely incredible image, Jaime! I see the tender side of your sweet boy here in this image and through your words, and I look forward to seeing his crazy side, too!
I love this too!! What a sweet, sweet boy. You are raising him right This picture is perfection J. I hope to meet those babies of yours one day- soon!
In the last few months I have seen how a couple of my favorite photographers started a “letter to our daughter” post on their blogs each month. Now how in the world could I not take their lead and do one, too. Especially of my Maddux. So thank you Julia and Stephanie for the inspiration to tell Maddux how I feel along with the rest of you!
Dear Maddie-loo,
You are You. I have no other way to describe it. You are Maddux and if someone does not like who you are your response is, “too bad, so sad!” These little lady are the reasons we love that you are you.
You sit.
You talk to yourself.
Your stare.
You bite your nails.
You could care less about anything around you unless it involves a butterfly or animal.
You wear what you wanna wear and could care less who likes it.
You’re obsessed with Hello Kitty but we are not sure why.
You love chocolate.
You hate meat.
You refuse to try something new.
You hate bubbles.
Hence why you hate showers.
You want to meet famous people in California, ie. Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift bc you did not realize that the voices coming from the radio were actually people. I am not sure what you thought was coming out of the radio but when you found out they were actual people you wanted to “give them a hug”
Best of all….. you love hard.
You are YOU. And for that I am thankful. Thankful that this really helps when others are not so nice. This helps when you know you can help others who have no one. You care for others like no one will ever understand. You have fought hard for everything you know. It’s not easy remembering things that seem to slip out of your head so easily. But like we always say, “Mom is the same way!” You work hard for simple things. These are the reasons why I admire you. You were given to just me. Me and your daddy. We were made just for you. To help guide you with these strengths that you have and use them to help yourself and others. I know you can see it. I see your face light up when talking about people who care for you. I can not wait to see who’s life you will change. One day I will come back to this first letter and read it with you and I will cry, I know. I am now. And you will see how I saw this in you when you were little. Just wait…..
Oh, Jaime! I’m SO glad you’re doing this!!! I love your first letter and image, and am so glad that I’ll be able to follow along as you continue to give words to your girl. Kindred <3
Jaime…what is a beautiful letter to your beautiful Maddux. She is special and God gives special children to special parents who love them with their whole hearts. You are both so blessed to have each other. You will always make special memories together.
love it.
I love this series of letters that some of you are doing. Yours is with no exception beautifully written along with a touching image. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful, beautiful letter. My favourite part – “you love hard”. So special x
Beautiful Jaime! Maddux is such a precious girl!
Love this Jaime!
Oh Jaime…. this is so lovely…. <3
This is beautiful Jaime! I love this. Love your maddux. I am positive she has already changed hundreds of lives. She is beautiful- you are beautiful.. all of it is.
by jaime
beautiful! that mama is goooorgeous
Ummmm WOW!!!!