My Father’s Daughter // Soldiers Rd Portraits

 

I had an opportunity recently to have my portrait taken by Soldiers Rd Portraits, two beautiful women from New Zealand who specialize in vintage traditional Maori portraits. To call this a special experience would be quite an understatement. You see, my Maori culture is something that I have always held so closely in my heart and cherished. Maori is a part of who I am – my make up – but as an American child born to interracial parents, I would be lying if I said that Maori has always been how I’ve felt.

On the day I had my portrait taken, I snuck away to the bathroom to have a look at myself alone for a bit. It was a sweet moment in which I thought about my grandmother and the beautiful traditional Maori portrait of her I’ve grown up admiring. I wondered if anyone would think I looked like her. In true form, I let a few tears fall as I admired the ta moko on my chin and the piupiu draped across my shoulder. For the very first time in my life, I KNEW the Maori girl staring back at me. I’ll never forget that quiet moment.

Today I received this finished portrait from Soldiers Rd. I immediately recognized myself, of course, but to my surprise I immediately caught a glimpse of my father too. I’ve been told all my life that I look “soooo much like my mother”, and I’m proud of that, my mother is the most beautiful woman I know. But today was a sweet reminder that I am also my father’s daughter - a part of him - and he has given me beautiful reasons to be proud of that too.

Photo Credit: Soldiers Rd Portraits

2014 State of the Teeter Family Union

Photo Credit: Gideon Photography

That’s right. The Teeter Family Union. We up and got hitched, ya’ll! More details on that to follow. In the meantime, I’m here to report that marriage approval ratings for the Teeter’s have hit an all-time high. The transition into marriage hasn’t felt all that different from life before. In other words, not much has changed aside from my name on my driver’s license, including my license picture which, let’s just say, I didn’t think could be worse than my previous license picture, however it just so happened that on that fateful ‘day of the name change’ instead of worrying about how I would appear next to my new last name on my new driver’s license, I spent 20 minutes crying in the DMV parking lot over letting go of my maiden name which apparently was a greater part of my identity than even I knew. I asked the man behind the counter at the DMV if other women ever came in with tear soaked faces when making a name change, obviously trying my best to make light of a situation  that, let’s face it, shouldn’t have been as emotionally jarring as it was, nonetheless he looked at me like he was scared of me and shook his head ‘no’ then clicked my picture without any warning and definitely no re-takes. Bloodshot, puffy, tear streaked and all.  So basically, in the name of being a new wife, I deserve a second go at that driver license picture. Now that I’m more comfortable with my maiden name as my middle name thus more emotionally stable, I’m gonna to have to "lose" this license. This is one of those cases where the $18 replacement fee is tooootally worth it.

But like I said, not much has changed. Though being married does feeeeeel a little different. Different in ways like suddenly I’m guilty of google searching “how to be a great wife” or “ways to ensure a successful marriage” because why the hell not? I can! And I want to. Because I’m actually really excited to be someone’s wife. And not just anyone’s wife, mind you. I feel pretty great about my choice of husband. Hence the whole google search thing. I mean good things deserve good nurturing and care, you know?  We the Teeter’s, in order to form a more perfect union, believe in google searches and e-how tutorials and nurturing and care. Amen.

In other household news, I’ve totally and completely forgotten how to blog. Obviously.  I’ll be making a most likely sad attempt at trying to account for lost time on this blog over the course of the next few weeks but don’t hold your breath. For now, this feels good. Stretching my fingers, dusting this little blog off and letting her know, “You’re not alone, my little piece of the internet. I’m still here.” Air hug.

The truth is, 2014 has been preeeeetty full of blogable (that’s a word, right?) events. I mean I got married for crying out loud. That’s like, a really big deal. Also I became an Aunt, went on some great vacations, read some good books, listened to some intriguing podcasts, discovered some passions, learned valuable life lessons and quit a soul-sucking job. Good things. 2014 was good. The State of the Teeter Family Union is secure and thriving. Well, okay, okay, my husband might tell you that I could probably use a job. A real one. I can whip up a mean lasagna, but apparently many housewives (this one) don’t actually earn an income. Whodathunkit?  But unemployment aside, we’re strong, we’re happy, and we’re making strides towards a bright future. Long live House of Teeter. Fist pump.

Photo Credit: Gideon Photography