I was not pleased about puberty. Not at all.
Not pleased about the hormones, not pleased to learn about the world of Kotex and Tampax, and NOT PLEASED about locking my girls in a claustrophobia-inducing device meant to “support” that the world had deemed a requirement for females wanting to keep polite company.
So for a year or so (perhaps my mom would offer a different numeric), I was an angry teenager.
I took my angst out on my family, naturally. I don’t remember too many details, but I think the gist was that I always wanted to hang out with my friends, and never wanted to hang out with my family. Sound about right, Mom?
One morning, my mother informed me that we would be getting a family picture taken – a bit of news I quickly classifed under “Things I’m not that interested in.” Instead, my friend Cami and I took off on our bikes with the intention of going swimming in the Blacksmith Fork River.
We were about half way to our destination when my family pulled up in the Isuzu Trooper. My mother calmly instructed me to get into the car. Everybody else was wearing their Sunday best. I was wearing my swimming suit with a flimsy t-shirt, denim shorts, and flip flops.
I was not pleased.
The photographer did everything in his power to get me to smile, but he was no match for this angst-ridden brat-head.
In the prints from the studio, you can see my turquoise and black swim suit shining through my shirt. Awesome.
Thankfully, I’ve rid myself of all traces of stubborness, and am now as pleasant as a warm, summer morning in the countryside.
13 comments:
You were always the pinnacle of cool in my book. I was determined to develop a rad glare of my own after we took this picture. I spent hours in front of a mirror practicing.
It's kind of freaky how much wee Karen looks like Eli.
This particular family picture has always been a favorite of mine (for many reasons) since stumbling upon it years ago in the family photo collection. It just so...awesome!
For many years I have wondered why you, Laura, were wearing casual while everyone else was so fancy? And, why you have no trace of a smile? Now some of the mystery is solved. But...not all the mystery. The question still remains, why do you have fancy 80's earrings on if you're planning to go swimming in Blacksmith Fork river?
Very funny post! Very funny picture.
Cami's right...Karen does look like Eli.
I KNEW there was a great story behind the even greater photo! Love it! Very funny.
You better keep your eyes on Squiggles; she might give you a run for your money some day! (But, if she's anything like her mommy, she'll be beyond awesome). ;)
What a great story! I love that your mom didn't have extra clothes for you to change into, you had to wear the more casual clothes.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! It almost looks like you're wearing a skirt in that photo. Your poor mother. That is the funniest thing ever. And you look pretty cute when you're mad, anyone ever tell you that?
I laughed really hard when I saw this post and I hadn't even read it yet. Somehow I never heard the story of why you looked so awesome, either. It's for sure my most memorable family photo ever.
I love it! I also love that your mom just took you as you were! I have seen this picture before, but I never noticed that you were casual and the rest were fancy! I too thought you had on a skirt, and were just sporting the latest style!
Of all your family photos, I think this one is burned into my memory.
What's weird is that I never really thought of why you weren't wearing a fluffy dress. To me, you were extremely fashionable and so, naturally I just assumed that this was what all the cool kids wore.
I figured that 89 percent of us looked presentable--faces clean, Sunday clothes on, hair combed. And you really don't look so bad. Your ear rings are cute. That's sort of become my goal in this life. If I can get things 89 percent good, I'm okay.
I have a similar studio picture experience, but mine came from my mother dragging me to the Sears photo kiosk in the middle of the mall dressed my First Communion dress (complete with crown and veil). The only good picture is where I am posed in prayer, because I hid the fact that I was scowling!
First, this is an awesome story and one that will probably live for generations. Second, feel free to comment on my family's blog anytime. Third, Jerry and I set a wedding date finally so can you send me your address.
Oh, I love this post. And the picture. And you!
Oh - I love this post! What a great story your daughter will love to hear when she's a teenager!
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