Ten years ago, before I was a bride and before I even met Mr. Yenta, my mom turned 50 and was in the middle of treatment for breast cancer. I was only a college student with a zillion other concerns on my mind and not even at home to be by her side or fully understand the stresses of watching a loved one go through cancer. I knew she would beat it and she did. For that, I am so grateful.
Five years ago, my family participated in the Revlon Run/Walk for Women’s Cancers in Los Angeles celebrating my mom’s victory!
Things have changed a lot in those ten years: I graduated college, I went on lots of ridiculous dates, I met and married my wonderful husband, I started and ended at a few different companies, I started The Wedding Yentas, and I had a daughter of my own. Thank goodness she beat that cancer biatch and she’s around to be able to witness all of these milestones.
Today is her 60th birthday!
I think back to one of my main milestones, my wedding, and try to think how it would have been different to experience it without a Jewish mother. Who would’ve nagged me to make sure I bring my Spanx to each dress fitting? Who would’ve looked over each contract with a careful eye to make sure that my guests were getting enough to eat? Who would’ve told me I was ridiculous for harping on dumb things? Who would’ve been so, so, so generous with shower gifts or her time at vendor meetings? I know how lucky I was to have my mom so involved in my wedding and am thankful to have had that experience with her.
My mom and me the morning of my bridal shower. It was such a fun experience with her!
My mom takes my arm as we are about to walk down the aisle at the wedding rehearsal and we got gussied up for the rehearsal dinner later that night!
I also know that not every bride is in my position to have her mama by her side, so my wish is for every bride to have a special mom-like woman along for the ride who will take on the duties and role of a Mother of the Bride. Whether it’s an aunt, a grandma, a best friend, or a cousin, women should have a mentor; You should be able to count on someone wise, who loves you, but is just objective and fearless enough to play a good round of Devil’s Advocate/Jewish Mother.
So on her big birthday (omg she’s going to kill me for this), I want to wish my mom a happy day and year ahead, and thank her for kicking cancer’s ass ten years ago and being part of my life for the past decade. There will only be more exciting things to share together and while they may not be as beautiful or consuming as a wedding (you SO know what I mean, ladies!), I know the importance of my mother’s role in my life and I hope all of you Yentas also have a lady you can hug who’s been just as important during your wedding planning or other big life moments.
For the past few weeks, my mom and dad have been jetsetting to celebrate another big event; not only is my mom turning 60 today, but next month, they celebrate 40 years of marriage. It was their wedding album that gave me the wedding obsession bug, and, hence, The Wedding Yentas as we know it. And while they’ve been off galavanting through some of the world’s most beautiful cities, I’ve missed her! Chatting through opposite time zones makes it tricky to catch up, and Baby Yenta has definitely been without her Mimi for far too long. She comes back home today (Happy birthday from TSA! Here’s an intrusive pat down that may as well be a pap smear) and I’m so excited to celebrate this big birthday with her.
Thanks for being born, Mom.
Important moments from my wedding day with my mom by my side.
Photos by Eight20 Photography
