Watching Her Grow… and Realizing I Am Too
Note from Jamie
I like to share things that light me up, fill me with joy, and make my life easier. Nothing is sponsored. These are just things that are helping me along my journey.
Watching Her Grow… and Realizing I Am Too
Today is Emma’s 14th birthday.
(I'm writing this on Wednesday)
And like any mom on her child’s birthday, I found myself deep in the rabbit hole of photos and videos—scrolling through years of tiny moments that somehow feel both so far away and like they just happened yesterday.
Her little voice.
Her colorful outfits.
The way she used to reach for my hand without thinking.
What a joy it is to watch someone you love grow, discover, experience, and explore.
What a joy it is to witness who they’re becoming.
And somewhere in between all those photos… I had this quiet realization:
It’s not just her who’s growing. It’s me, too.
At 14, Emma is so excited about who she’s becoming. There’s an energy to it—a curiosity, a confidence, a sense of possibility.
And in a different, deeper way… I feel that too.
Not in the same outward, beginning-of-the-journey kind of way—but in a grounded, coming-home-to-myself kind of way.
Because the truth is, I understand myself more now than I ever have before.
I know what I like.
I know what I don’t.
I know what matters to me—and what doesn’t.
And life, in so many ways, just keeps getting sweeter.
Emma has taught me things about myself I never expected.
I may not be the “fun parent” in the traditional sense, but I am deeply honest with her. I share openly—the good, the hard, and yes, even the messy parts. The kinds of things I only ever read about quietly in magazines when I was her age.
She knows me. And maybe even more meaningful… she gets me. She sees me in a way that feels so rare and so special.
That kind of connection—it’s not something I take for granted.
And through loving her, I’ve also come to see myself more clearly.
I’m a really good mom. And, I’m also a really good wife, business owner, and member of my community.
Somewhere along the way, I let go of the idea that I had to choose just one version of myself.
I’ve learned that you get to be a full person.
Ten years ago, life looked very different.
I was in a corporate job that asked me to be someone I wasn’t—where success often felt like it came at the cost of integrity. Where “win at all costs” didn’t sit right in my heart.
I showed up every day dressed the part—pencil skirts, jewelry, full hair & makeup.
And now?
Now I have meetings on my couch, in cozy clothes, sometimes laughing about whether or not we’re even wearing bras that day.
And somehow… I’ve never felt more like myself.
My body has changed, too. I used to live with constant back pain, limited in what I could do.
This morning, I did a jumping workout to strengthen my bones. Stronger than I’ve ever been.
Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.
And maybe most importantly—I get to show up as my authentic self… and be celebrated for it.
But I’m still growing.
I’m still figuring things out.
I’m still asking myself: What do I really want? What do I really enjoy?
And for the first time in my life, I’m actually listening to the answers.
I’m allowing myself to go to bed early. To prioritize my workouts and nourishing my body.To have slow mornings with coffee, journaling, and quiet.
To factor in what I want, too.
To be kind to myself.
To take really good care of myself.
If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be this:
You don’t have to make everyone else happy at the expense of yourself.
One day, you’ll care deeply about your own happiness—and you won’t feel guilty about it.
You’ll be loved for your heart.
You’ll build a life that feels aligned.
You’ll love your work.
You’ll love your life.
And you’ll finally feel at peace being you.
Watching Emma turn 14… I’m reminded that growth doesn’t stop.
It just changes.It deepens.It softens.
It becomes less about becoming someone new… and more about returning to who you’ve always been.
So today, I’m celebrating her. And I’m honoring the woman I’m still becoming.
Because life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
But if you’re paying attention…
It really does get sweeter.
xoxo,
Jamie
Inspiration
Nourish Pick of the Week
Of all the Nourish products Emma uses, this is the one she reaches for again and again.
Our Intensive Healing Balm is her go-to for everything—lips, scrapes, even those volleyball bruises.
And lately, she’s been coating her hands in it at night and sleeping with socks on to keep them soft through these winter months.
This morning, she requested a dance party… and I got to watch her dancing around with her little sock puppet hands.
It was equal parts adorable and hilarious—and such a sweet reminder that the simplest things are often the ones we love most.
Recipe of the Week
Emma has never been much of a birthday cake girl… but a piña colada? That’s her kind of celebration! (Non-alcoholic, of course!)
I made one for her yesterday in anticipation of her birthday—and of course, we’re having another today. It’s creamy, refreshing, and feels a little extra special… just like birthdays should.
This version is simple and full of tropical flavor—a fun, festive treat made for celebrating moments like these.
Live well. Be kind.
Jamie
