We did it! My first girls group has become a sisterhood. By the light of the dark moon we crossed the mountain, night hiking up Tennessee Valley, sleeping at the peak. It was very very very wet, windy and cold. We woke at sunrise to greet the ocean and descended to Muir Beach for an epic ceremony with all their families.

I held space for 20 people to honor the gorgeously messy journey of family, the girls transformation into young women, the power of nature, and the humility of simply being human. It was incredible. The ceremony lasted 4 hours! This is what conscious rites of passage looks and feels like ~ what a gift to all. More than 7 years together! Beyond words grateful for the support and willingness of all the girls, their families, and all our guides and allies. It was also my first night away from my son. May this beautiful ending reveal a powerful new beginning for all of us. Oh how the many layers weave. Surrounded in beauty, giving thanks ✨🌙

Thank you Diana for your devotion to understanding and spreading awareness around adolescence as "a period of transformation, not mental illness." We love you!

More from Diana and her valuable work at developmentalscience.com

"The teens had worked together in advance to create a series of questions on a range of topics that they all addressed throughout the evening. I took a lot of notes. I was especially struck by how much these weaving spaces are needed—spaces for young people to be held in safety and non-judgment to do the vulnerable work of weaving themselves, authentic & caring relationships, and the world they will inhabit. I was grateful to attend such a rare event featuring teens’ voices. As one of the young women shared: Young people need “tender reverent space.”  (Read full post 'Weaving the Social Fabric')

We especially love your words from another recent blog post... "Epic isn’t easy. I don’t think you get to epic without working hard for it…epic demands a leap out of the comfort zone. And there’s usually a lot of learning involved." (see full Epic post here) "Epic" pretty much sums up the panel for us and especially the girls - thank you for describing why.
An honor to walk the path with you,
Emily, Quetzal & the girls

We did it! Another beautiful Mother Daughter Retreat for a dozen amazing mamas and daughters (and grandmas!), with Quetzal François by my side. We shared #realtalk, time all together, mama:mama, teen:teen, and with the flowers and gentle rains. We took off the masks and explored the depths. We offered wishes and simple truths to the creek, witnessed each other soften through the day.

None of us have it all together, we mostly are feeling our way through, trying to figure out what we need every day, and it hurts when we disconnect. Moms and teen daughters have this wild way of knowing exactly how to squeeze lemon into each other's papercuts, so friggin' frustrating! And somehow that same deep knowing holds healing for the whole system. Whether we are the #angstyteen or #worrymom, there is always another side, needing tending, needing some space, needing some care.

I love this retreat because there is no hiding. Whether you're a teen or a mama, being "seen" together is vulnerable. It's one of those days where you know everyone is seeing whatever it is you're not saying. And by sticking in that discomfort etogether, we all, every age, emerge from our day a bit more willing to keep doing this life thing together.

The mama-daughter relationship is so rich, complex and important. What a privilege it is to be let in on the process. I’m once again deeply humbled and grateful for this work that in so many ways chose me. And thank you to my mama, who because of and despite all I think about "us" - I'm here because of you!!!! Special shout out to the first grandmother to join us for our potent #motherdaughterday! Your wisdom brought tears to more than just my eyes. Love you M!

Some of our favorite love notes:

"I'm a grandmother and I stumbled on these two powerful, warm, kind women, Quetzal and Emily, and the wonderful work and mentoring they provide for teenage girls. What a relief! I'm not as concerned about the world my granddaughter is growing up in now that she has their support. She will be ready!" - MD Retreat grandmother

"At first I didn't want to do this but it was one of the best days I've had in a while" - Real Talk Teen

"This stuff may seem scary or weird, but this is a very loving and accepting group, and I highly recommend giving it a shot." - Real Talk Teen

"The Mother Daughter Retreat has provided a safe and nurturing environment to address all the variables our teens sort through. Highly recommend!" - MD Mama

"Quetzal and Emily make it so easy to be authentic. They create a truly safe place to share." - MD Mama

All my life
I have loved best
how the flowers rise
and open, how
the pink lungs of their bodies
enter the fire of the world
and stand there shining
and willing - the one
thing they can do before
they shuffle forward
into the floor of darkness, they
become the trees.
- Mary Oliver

A teen made film about 8 years in a girls group with Emily and the power of our journey together.
Created 2019.