Hail to the Princess
A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you’re fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
- Ilene Woods (Cinderella)
Ivy is our fairy. She always has been. Elfin-like, tiny. Our totally enchanting and perfectly mischievous fairy. She loves them herself, donning wings and fluttering around the house frequently..asking for fairy merchandise at the shops, watching The Fairies on tv. Secretly, I was relieved that this was her love.. Something I’d not had seen with Ava..a new experience, no association.
But there was a day, I knew it would come, where someone fondly called her Princess. And in that moment, smiling and making polite conversation, my mind reeled. My proper self knew it was as it should be..all three year old girls, along with being fairies and ballerinas and pretend Mommies, are Princesses. But my sorrow-filled self could not bear the thought. I had only ever known one Princess until that day. But “the firsts” come and go..Ivy pested for her own sparkly, polyester frocks and I helped her perfect her curtsy.
And then, such is the way with grief and a whole lot of time, I made my way to the land of all things Princess – Disneyland. With one sweet girl by my side and another on my mind, I sighed at tiaras and marveled at castles. Time skipped back and forth and I wished for different but I was there, and doing it. For Ivy. We went to the Princess Makeover Salon. She got to choose her whole outfit and spent an hour being made up by a Fairy Godmother. It was so special and magical and so very, very hard. With impossible sadness and so much gratitude, I took these photos.
Seeing the Princess costumes hanging up:
About to be taken into her dressing room after three spins and a wish:
THE dress:
And, the Princess:
The makeover: (A little miffed that one’s hair has to be upswept – surely it’s all about the golden locks?)
But happy now there’s eye shadow involved:
On the news there will be sparkles:
The big unveil:
Happy girl :) (Natural light, I love you).
And ten minutes later back at the hotel..hair un-assembled, mid flight.
I hereby give you Princess Ivy.
I love these photos. I loved this day. How thankful I am. Grief almost stopped me from having this moment. There are times I loathe grief to my core..and times I don’t. There are hours and days and minutes of unbearable sorrow, this is true. But oh the joy of being able to fully appreciate. To breathe it in and find thankfulness and cherish too. Grief..an external being but part of my soul. It makes up who I am, it shows me a different view – every single day. It tires me, it enlightens me.
Seeing these photos again, on a day filled with happiness and hope, I am just a little bit thankful for the grief.
Sheye xx
(And to my darling Ava.. Wish you were here.)
85 shared sentiments
-
What a special day, indeed.
This post just has me in tears because you express so eloquently how much you miss Ava.
I’m so touched by everything you write about your family.
-
Oh Sheye, these are just perfectly perfect, Ivy looks so happy and blissful and full of joy. I bet Ava was smiling from above, how I wish you had both your princesses with you on this special day {hugs} xx K
-
I think this might just be my favorite blog post youve ever written. It has amazing pictures of Ivy (some of the best Ive ever seen) and you wrote about Ava with such beautiful words. I guess both of them are princess’. Ava’s your Super Princess, and Ivy you Fairy Princess.
-
What perfect captures to a perfect day. I wish so much for you that Ava was there too.
-
As always, your honesty and eloquence has me in tears. Your Ava is never far away from you, OR her princess sister.
-
I have only just found you and your blog and I am so glad I did. And I am happy that you and Ivy shared this magical moment. You have such a way of expressing how you feel, the truth and the pain and grief, but the happiness that you feel with your beautiful Ivy…
-
Such wonderful pictures…what a precious moment…as always, my prayers go up for you!
-
What a beautiful post……
-
Oh honey!! This post had me in tears! I’m so happy that you shared this special, beautiful day with Ivy, but at the same time it saddens me for what should have been! Ava would have been smiling down & agreeing with Ivy’s choice… her Princess Dress is absolutely gorgeous, she did indeed look every part the Princess, but you know which is my most favourite photo from this day… the very last one… this one sings out IVY!!! Much love to you Sheye…. xx
-
oh sheye, thank you for sharing these moments with us. You are such a strong and wonderful example to us all.
-
Oh, Sheye….beautiful and heart wrenching. Ivy is so, so gorgeous!
-
I loved this post. Ivy is a beautiful princess, and you have an incredible gift to capture life. Last week I started listening to Michael W. Smith’s new album, Beauty Will Rise. It is his first album since his 4 year old daughter passed on last year. The lyrics remind me of the Psalms, but they are his raw emotions. Each song reminds me of your emotions and love for Ava. I have prayed for you each time I hear the music.
-
Oh, I’m sure Ava is looking down, smiling her approval at Ivy’s transformation :)
Lots of love xx
-
Oh Sheye, these are just beautiful!
What a special moment for you both to share and i’m sure the super-princess was watching over you both enjoying that moment with you.
Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Love and hugs to you both :)
-
Just beautiful!!
-
These images just speak of love and happiness. Miss Ivy. Blessed with beautiful parents. I can only imagine, looking at these gorgeous images, how very, very hard this must have been. I’m glad for you xxx
-
These images just speak of love and happiness. Miss Ivy. Blessed with beautiful parents. I can only imagine, looking at these gorgeous images, how very, very hard this must have been. I’m glad for you xxx
-
crying tears of joy and sadness. Ivy is completely tickled pink, she is as gorgeous as she imagined herself to be in her princess dress. Unimaginably beautiful. So happy you pushed grief aside for a brief moment…the pictures are amazing. Ivy is absolutely gorgeous all made up, the grin on her face says it all. So bittersweet for you I know but so worth it. Incredible. Love you you, Denise xxoo
-
almost made it all the way through without dripping with tears. you got me at the small note to ava, in case you were wondering.
what a beautiful day … and knowing that there can be more than one princess per household. we all need a little princess in each of us … so glad that you had that special moment.
-
What a gorgeous princess she makes :)
Her big sister would be more than proud!
-
Shey, Beautiful photos. Ivy looks gorgeous and you once again have touched my heart. I showed my little girl the photos and she wants to look just like Ivy. She is four and ‘reads’ your blog with me every week. xx
-
What a perfect, beautiful day for you and Ivy. I think that during the times when it seemed difficult, Ava was giving you the strength to be there for Ivy. Thank you for sharing your two beautiful princesses with us.
-
Beautiful photos, beautiful musings. Very inspirational.
Very proud of you to allow Ivy be the princess she wanted to be. I imagine that was difficult for you to appreciate her as your princess as well. She is a beautiful young girl with so much energy and expression.
Much love.
-
It’s a thing of beauty to see Ava in Ivy. And Ivy in Ava.
-
You are one of the best mommies – to all four of your children! I hope to never know the tiniest speck of the grief you know and live with. You are so brave. Even in tears and sorrow. Thank you for sharing the beauty. I LOVE Ivy jumping on the bed!
XOXO
-
After I read that last line I heard a voice say “I was there Mama.” The roles are now switched. She’ll wear the wings and place the tiny tiaras on her sister from above. You will see your baby girl again. I hope this comfort remains with you for awhile. :)
-
Breathtaking,
Gorgeous, and
Beautiful!
-
Bless you and your strength
-
So beautiful and so heartbreaking. I’ve never seen a princess makeover before, and this just brought so much joy to my heart. If I ever become a mom (and to a girl), I will remember this and do the same to her. :) Thank you!
-
We bow to thee Princess Ivy
-
Beautiful. Glad that you were able to do that for Ivy. And for yourself too.
-
how lovely!! i wish i could do that with my ella…. ivy is lovely. thank you for sharing such a special moment (and appologies for the lack of capitals, feeding the baby) xx
-
She is beautiful, and the bouncing on the bed photo is best. We were in Disneyland in Sept and I now feel mean for not splurling on my girls at the Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique. So glad Ivy had a great time and that the day was such a special and meaningful one for you too.
-
as ever, feeling humbled and moved by your grace, dignity and strength.
-
thank you for sharing these images and your journey with grief…i live life with my children with more awareness because of your ava.
-
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! Just lovely:O)
-
Really you’re lucky ’cause you got yourself 2 princesses :) mid flight is my fav – you just have to laugh!
-
Wow!!!
For Princess Ivy, it will be a day remembered for eternity, I bet:)
Elisabeth was 4 last month, I bought her a dress not unlike the one Ivy has. It is already overused, got holes, by The Princess of Europe:)
-
Wow..amazing photos of Ivy, soo cute Sheye(:
What kinda Canon kamera do u use??
-
Every day Sheye ~ every day ~ I think about you and your girl. It can be the smallest thing that triggers the thought. Something pink, a rainbow, Kara misbehaving, me missing my daughter….. every time though, I end up aching and wondering how you ‘cope’. Then I see images like these of Ivy and my respect for you grows even more. You, despite what you endure, are giving your gorgeous children an amazing childhood because of your strength. At the same time, you are keeping Ava alive in the minds of so many.
I hope you realise how wonderful what you are doing is.
-
Wow… gorgeous girl! You can just see the happiness in her eyes. What a beautiful family you have. Ava was with you and Ivy every step of that day.
-
That first photo, I just love it – pure joy :)
As always beautiful girl, your bravery amazes me ♥
-
There should have been 2 Princesses with you that day,
but I can guarantee, Ava was watching her sister, Ivy
and smiling & laughing right along with her. And I bet
she was wearing the matching gown to Ivy’s while smiling….
it’s not fair that you have to endure this all
Sheye, and I don’t know how you do it, but
you are making memories for Ivy and letting her be who she is
and not comparing her, and that is just amazing to me!
You are the most wonderful Mum ever! These photos are just amazing!
Her precious laughter, happiness just bursting out of her. beautifuL!
tara
-
What beautiful, and precious photos!
-
Amazing pictures, as always! Beautiful subject too! Ava would be proud of her little sister.
-Desiree
-
Beautiful post and images. Thank you for sharing such a special day. And I have never seen anything like that before — what a magical moment for a little girl.
-
These pictures are incredible. You write beautifully. There is a depth in your writing and a way of saying so much and yet leaving some things left unsaid that just draws me in to your blog. I am always touched and I’ll admit slightly jealous of your adventures :) Your daughters are beautiful and so are your sons.
-
Tears spilled forth. I am so proud of you, Sheye. You grow even when you don’t want to grow. Such an impossible-feeling road it is…to be in the moment and not, all at the same time. Again, just so proud of you. So very proud. And I adore Ava and Ivy. And you.
-
I LOVE the first and last pics here… what a magical day for Ivy!
Leave a Reply
I love seeing in frames, I love the beauty in the ordinary, I love my camera, I love that when I see images I hear too. I love the latelight, I love finding moments I didn’t imagine and I love creating moments I did. I love learning more every day, I love sharing what I’ve come to know, and I love making pictures pretty.
I’m so glad you stopped by. xx
What amazing photos! It would have been hard but Ivy just looks gorgeous. What a fabulous place, wish I could take my little girl!