Target Run with Wild Child | Then & Now

Six years later, and here we are again. Same store. Same spirit but a whole lot taller.

Back in 2019, a simple Target run turned into one of my favorite memories with my girl. It was never meant to be anything big. It was just a rainy day, a toddler with strong outfit opinions, and a mom who knew to grab her camera. That session became a time capsule of who she was at three years old. Wild. Free. Completely herself.

Doing this session again all these years later felt equal parts nostalgic and emotional in the very best way. There was something incredibly special about recreating it now that she’s older. Still playful. Still expressive. Still my wild child… just more grown.

The Outfit | A Side by Side Moment

We tried to stay as true to the original session as possible so the comparisons would really feel like then and now. Same vibe. Same confidence. Same Target energy.

This time she wore a pink long sleeve shirt (a little different from last time, but still perfectly her), blue shorts, the same pink beanie, and black calf high boots. Seeing that beanie again instantly brought me back. It felt like reconnecting with a version of her that still lives right here, just layered with more years. I would be lying if I told you we didn't catch any stares walking through Target in this glorious outfit.

Doing It All Again

We made sure to recreate all the same moments from the original session so the side by sides would be accurate. Same aisles. Same silly pauses. Same freedom to be completely ourselves in the middle of Target.

Coffee, Cocoa, and the Aisle Walk

There’s something about those quiet in between moments that make the biggest impact. Here we are walking down the aisle together, cart in hand, just the two of us. When I go to kiss her forehead she stands on her tippy toes and puts her arms out like she's flying. Same free spirit, just bigger.

We also sat on the floor next to our cart, drinks in hand. Me with a coffee and her with a hot chocolate. Just existing together. Laughing. Talking. Being our silly selves. Turns out at 9 and 34 years old our relationship is the same.

Mirror Games & Matching Energy

One of my favorite parts of our Target run was playing in the mirror together. Me holding my camera. Her wearing a pair of sunglasses. Matching expressions. Matching energy. Matching joy. Six years ago, I was documenting her world. This time, we documented our world.

What's a target run without a little mic session!?

The trip had to have an updated family Target portrait, so we called dad and Strider again.

Extra Moments, Extra Meaning

After recreating the originals, we let ourselves wander a bit. We laughed. We joked. We brought our inner wild child out together. There was no rush. No pressure. Just a mom and her daughter having fun in a place that somehow always feels like a safe haven.

Target has always been more than just a store for me. It’s been a backdrop to all things motherhood. To errands that turn into memories. To moments you don’t realize are important until years later when you’re standing in that same aisle again.

Here’s to Then & Now

Here’s to staying little. And here's to growing up.

Here’s to the moments that look ordinary but end up meaning everything. Here’s to laughing in aisles, sitting on floors, and holding onto traditions you didn’t even realize you were creating.

Most of all, here’s to my beautiful wild child. Past, present, and every version still to come. In another 6 years, let's do it again!

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Original Target Run 2019 Blogpost

xoxo

- Mandi