Over the past year, a number of readers have asked to see old pictures. The other day, I shared a few pictures of my mom from throughout the years in my ode to her 60th birthday. While digging through pictures, I found a few of these classic images.

Since I was young, I’ve always loved gardening. We lived in a small three bedroom apartment for most of my childhood, age 5-12. Even though we had no property that was “ours” my father received permission from the apartment complex to plant flowers around our apartment and even a potato and tomato patch behind our apartment. Even though my parents couldn’t provide my brother and I with a yard or tree house of our own they made sure that we enjoyed the space.

This picture was taken at Jenny Lake Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming the summer between my sophomore and junior year in high school. I remember having my mom take this “glamour shot” of me so I could send it to my boyfriend. Aside from awkward photo shoots like this one, this trip was a memorable family adventure. We spent two weeks exploring Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado via a SUV rental car. My dad is a huge road warrior and believed that seeing the United States via car window was the best way to travel.

Oh the horrible mushroom hair cut! The summer between my junior and senior year of high school was unlike any other. I started the summer off by chopping my long hair, just in time for senior pictures. After this torrid experience, I retreated to Switzerland, exploring the entire country with my mom and girl scout troop for 19 amazing days. I never wanted this trip to end but it had to as I had even bigger plans. I spent the next five weeks of summer studying abroad in Oxford. I discovered fish and chips, heavy food, the England bar scene, and beer this summer. While I loved every minute of this summer, the weight I gained abroad made starting senior year pretty tough.

This picture was taken during our mother daughter brunch my freshman year of college. This outfit, a wool cowl neck sweater and camel skirt was the first J Crew outfit I had ever owned as it was the first year they offered extended sizes including size 16.  Unfortunately for this picture, I was also horribly hung over, along with my five closest pledge sisters. My freshman year of college didn’t have much balance as I enjoyed three nights of partying each week, pledging, and living in a co-ed dorm. I’ll never forget checking grades over Christmas break and seeing my grades. Luckily for my scholarships and future, I started to learn the importance of moderation Spring semester. (I just noticed from this picture that my mom still didn’t have gray hairs at the age of 53. Can I please be so lucky?)

This picture is from Parent’s Weekend sophomore year.This red tank top was a rare alternative to my favorite black strapless dress and red sash that I sported most game days.  Fall Saturdays at the University of Georgia meant tailgating in sorority front yards, barbecues, Jim Beam and Coca Cola in plastic cups, and parents in town to rekindle their youth and reminisce over a sobering brunch at Last Resort the morning after. I was always so proud that my parents were considered the “cool” parents in my group of friends who came up to party with us each weekend; especially junior and senior year when I was of age.

This picture, still one of my favorites even five years later, was taken at my sorority’s senior dinner. I remember searching for the perfect little black dress for a month until finally finding this Susan Monaco with my mom. It was more expensive than any other dress in my closet, even formal gowns. But, my mom bought it for me as a reward for all my hard work and making my Weight Watchers goal. I was exactly 150 pounds in this picture as I remember that I hit goal weight a week before our senior formal and senior dinner. This dress still hangs in my closet and makes me feel like a million dollars, even years later. The back is entirely open and the comfortable knit material has made it until 2 and 3am on many a dance floor. In fact, I wish I’d remembered to bring it to Las Vegas!

Hope you all enjoyed this little walk down memory lane. Next time I’m home I’ll find more pictures to feature!