Dear Adolescent Daughter,
I kindly request that you cease your efforts to remove the photograph of yourself from our refrigerator. For weeks now, we have been engaged in a silent tug-of-war over this image. I place it back up, and you sneakily take it down again. Your resourcefulness in hiding it has been impressive; it has been relocated from beneath a pile of papers to a more creative hiding spot, like buried in the junk mail or tucked within the pages of a magazine.
This back-and-forth must come to an end, my dear.
I understand that you have a complicated relationship with photographs. You scrutinize every image, often frowning as you analyze them. I observe you capturing moments on your phone, only to delete them almost immediately, re-taking and filtering until you achieve a version that pleases you. I can only guess the harsh words you may be directing at your reflection.
You fret about your braces, your hair’s defiance in humid weather, and your height. Photos, you believe, only amplify these perceived imperfections. I remember my own teenage struggles with self-image. I was once consumed by the belief that my bangs didn’t adequately cover my forehead, and my straight hair seemed to resist all attempts at styling. At 14, I too felt that photographs were my adversary.
You’ve been taught to avoid negative self-talk, but I recognize that my long-winded lectures often fall on deaf ears. You likely deduce that the inevitable response to your request for the photo’s removal would be the same worn-out advice about self-love and beauty.
However, you misunderstand my intentions.
The reason I persist in putting that picture back on display is not to compel you to appreciate your appearance. While that would be wonderful, I am, after all, the same woman who rejected over 25 proofs of her own graduation portrait. I realize it is unrealistic to expect a teenage girl to embrace how she appears in a photograph.
I keep returning that image to the fridge because it captures a moment of joy: you, side by side with your older brother, both of you lost in laughter. Unbeknownst to you at the time, you were simply being yourselves, playing with a light-up ball while enjoying each other’s company. It reminds me of the carefree girl you once were, radiant and playful, unaffected by external judgments.
This photograph symbolizes your growth. You sit tall on the couch, shoulders relaxed, exuding calm confidence, even amidst our bustling family life. I see the thoughtful young woman who helps with chores and expresses gratitude without prompting, the same girl who now chooses to linger at our Sunday family dinners, engaging in conversations with the adults long after the other kids have dashed off to play.
It encapsulates the transitional phase you’re in—straddling the line between girlhood and womanhood. Time is fleeting, and often my perception of you is clouded by the chaos of daily life. Your siblings vie for my attention, and when I finally pause to look at you, it sometimes feels like years have slipped by. That photograph allows me a moment of clarity amidst the whirlwind.
I also find that without you, the fridge seems incomplete. Each time I reach for the milk, your absence is palpable, reminding me of the cherished moments we share. I often quell the anxious thought that one day soon, you won’t be racing through the halls in your soccer cleats or borrowing my hair ties.
That image helps anchor me to this moment. It represents our shared history, the experiences we’ve had, and the journey we’re on together. Our family narrative would not be the same without your unique presence.
So, I urge you to reconsider. Leave that picture where it belongs.
With love,
Mom
P.S. You are beautiful, intelligent, funny, strong, and incredibly significant to me—more than words can express. I’ll stop here, as I know I’m embarrassing you, and you’ve likely tuned me out already. But remember, it’s the truth, my darling.
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In summary, this letter serves as a heartfelt reminder for my daughter to embrace her beauty and intelligence, even when self-doubt clouds her vision. The photograph represents not just her image but her essence, capturing moments of joy and growth that I cherish deeply.
Keyphrase: Teenage Daughter’s Beauty and Intelligence
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