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Dear Reader,

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My son messaged me recently, asking, “Would you like this pour-over coffee set for Mother’s Day?”

It made me smile—I sent him that link a few months ago.
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We love craft coffee, strong opinions 😂, and thoughtful gifts.
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Being his mom has taught me patience, presence, and how to hold space through change.
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And what have I passed on to him?
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→ That it’s okay to question things.
→ That emotions are not a weakness.
→ That growth requires effort and compassion.
→ That you can be both independent and deeply loved.

As Mother’s Day approached, I felt a wave of reflection.

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My son is 21 now, and I wonder if our relationship will keep evolving or become distant.
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When I became a mom, I made a quiet promise to myself.
To do things differently from my mom.
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Not because she wasn’t a good parent—she was one of the kindest people I’ve known.

But I always felt like she didn’t quite get me.
I was the rebel—the wild one.
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My sister told me that my mother would disapprove of THIS PHOTO I posted of myself in lingerie online.

And she probably would have.
But that only reminded me of something I’ve long accepted.
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I am not my mother.
And I don’t need to be.

We’re not meant to replicate the generation before us.

But I have carried some of her values forward—kindness, care, and nurturing live deeply within me.

Now, as I look at my relationship with my son, I see it as a space built on honesty and respect. He still calls me for advice—sometimes about school or stocks, fashion or food, or just to ask if something is a good deal.
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Those little moments mean everything to me.

I’ve tried to show up not just as a mom but as an imperfect human who is unlearning, learning, and re-learning.
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If I’ve done my job right, he’ll carry that forward.

And that, to me, is the legacy that matters most.

Love,

Alpana | Mom + Storyteller

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P.S. Happy Mother’s Day if you’re celebrating. I know this day can be hard for some people, too. To those struggling with this day, I see you. ❤️ ❤️
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​P.P.S. Ready to celebrate yourself or someone you love?

If you’re in the Bay Area and want to book a portrait session for Mother’s Day—or just because—I’d love to photograph you.
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As a professional photographer, I’m partial to the gift of memories, especially for moms and women who are rarely in front of the camera.

Now through May 14 (the invoice needs to be paid):
✨ Get $50 off AI portraits
✨ Or $100 off traditional portraits/custom headshots

Not local? No problem. I craft premium AI portraits for clients around the world.

Let’s create something iconic together.​
[ FILL OUT THIS FORM ] and let’s make it happen. 🌸
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