In 1997, my family's farm was featured in the in-flight magazine of Aloha Airlines, which sadly no longer exists. Although the article discussed my parents, not me, the family photo meant being seen with them in public. As a high schooler, I thought this was so embarrassing! 

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My mother recently sent me a copy of this magazine. There was no warning. One day, a heavy envelope containing it materialized in my mailbox. This occurrence is fairly reflective of our conversations. When she tells me something, there is no setup or context, just a thought discussed in medias res. 

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It was strange to see my 15-year-old self looking back at me. I remember the photographer coming and my feeling self-conscious. I was two inches taller than my mom but made myself small and hid as best I could. 

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Now, almost thirty years later, I know that public recognition is rare. I'm grateful that someone took notice of us and captured this moment and that my mother kept and shared it with me.