Snappy and judgmental, but it happens to you too? Right?

And that despite me being a firm believer that every woman deserves an occasional beauty treatment and make-up and hair stylist for her photo-shoot.

When I was driving to my clients’, I enjoyed the countryside immensely. It was truly a wonderful day, one of the spring’s first warm sunny ones, though we got the wind … yes, it’s still Finland. I arrived to a blue wooden house amidst of meadows and my client greeted me dressed in rubber boots and a bath robe. Excellent, I thought, exactly as instructed, she won’t have any underwear marks on her skin. She greeted me with a huge grin and whispered a warning, that her husband is very shy and doesn’t like to be photographed at all.

Ha! That must be the first shy Finnish male I have ever met …

Not!

He might have been a bit shy at the beginning … but soon love took over and all was good. (Also you should know that I did the whole session in Finnish. If you have ever heard my Finnish, you understand why the husband lost his shyness very quickly.)

My client was up for all crazy, riding a horse in a chilli wind almost naked, playing princess, and destroying her white dress with deep brown horse … hair! (For some reason we happened to overlook the simple fact of nature that animals shed hair in spring.)

I got the happy message couple of days ago, no more belly, the baby is born and I am going back next week to photograph the newborn photos and already can’t wait! ♥♥♥

After some brief discussions with my clients, we agreed that it’s nice to have flowers and breakfast in bed, but what makes a difference immediately is relieving us of the daily responsibilities (cooking, cleaning and other largely popular items on the housework list). And in long term a nice gift, perhaps jewelry. Something beautiful, so that when people compliment it, the mother can humbly but happily reply: “Yes, that is a Mother’s Day gift I got 14 years ago.”

But today I would like to go back in time to the point of my existence where I didn’t have any children yet (not even planned). I participated in the Czech community more actively then (before life took over), and organized a traditional meal day. It fell on the Mother’s Day that year. I was not aware of that, of course, Mother’s Day is not such a strong celebration in Czech (we celebrate more the International Day of Women, March 8th) and having no mom around among my Finnish friends … well, I simply didn’t realize it. A friend was living in Finland then, a peculiar person who I might tell you about more some other day. For today, let’s just know that he was assigned the task of bringing puolukka/cranberry jam, as it traditionally accompanies svickova and knedlik. However, the shops were closed. He, being known for problem-solving skills, didn’t call to let us know, but instead ran around perhaps 15 different stores to see if they are truly all closed.

They were.

And he was late, the meal was getting cold, there were more than 10 people waiting …

Suddenly the doorbell rang. I was so hungry I was nearly fainting, but when I opened the door, I thought I was gonna faint for real. He didn’t manage to get cranberries from anywhere, but instead he was able to buy a rifle. (On a Mother’s Day! Who does that!! And who sells that!!!)

It must be because rifle second hand stores are meant primarily for men, right? Because, to my knowledge, none of the jewelry shops are open on the Mother’s Day.

True story, by the way.

But now, images! A wonderful, cool couple living in a pretty nest right under the skies. He is in food industry, she is in wine industry and they are a perfect match for each other. And the overflow of love they had for their babygirl! I wish you could have been there with me to witness it.

And some music, as it’s Monday and we should dance. ♥♥♥

“Love actually is all around.”

If you just arrived to a low point of belief in love (& selflessness & humanity), sit at the play-park bench and watch the mothers. Yes, there might be occasional bitter remark about the hardship of motherhood, but all you will see if you really look is the love.

Because 99% of a mother is an enormous heart (and the remaining 1% is Swedish steel).

Huge, supernonplusultrahuge thanks to all the mothers who have invited me to their lives. You have shared with me the one most precious thing you own – the love for your family. I am honored and proud. ♥♥♥

Oh and btw. somewhere inside, though it might be hidden well, your mother loves you like this. Still. Happy Mother’s Day!