Mom captures daughter’s growth over the years through annual wedding dress photos

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In a heartwarming tradition spanning over a decade, a devoted mother has been meticulously documenting her daughter’s journey to adulthood by photographing her wearing her own wedding dress each year on her birthday.

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Aneta Zeppettella, now 51 years old, embarked on this unique annual ritual after stumbling upon the idea in a parenting magazine. Although she doesn’t hold sentimental attachment to the wedding dress itself, Aneta recognized that these photos would serve as a poignant record of her daughter Carla’s growth, capturing precious memories from ages 1 to 17.

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“It definitely makes me feel sentimental. It sounds cliché, but really, years are short,” Aneta reflected on this endearing tradition.

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Aneta and her husband, David Zeppettella, 57, have been together for 24 years and tied the knot on May 5, 2000. Aneta, originally from Szczecin, Poland, moved to the United States in 1999, where she fell in love with David.

Their whirlwind wedding planning included snagging the wedding dress on clearance just days before their nuptials.

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While the wedding gown itself may not hold profound significance for Aneta, the resulting photos and the memories they encapsulate are cherished. Carla eagerly embraced this yearly custom, delighting in wearing her mother’s wedding dress on her birthday and persistently reminding Aneta as each special day approached.

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After celebrating Carla’s 17th birthday, the family decided to conclude the series, preserving the cherished memories. Aneta shared that David, Carla’s father, is astonished by how swiftly time has flown when he looks back at the pictures.

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Despite the overwhelmingly positive and heartwarming reception of this photographic series, Aneta has encountered some negativity from strangers who misunderstand the intention behind the photos.

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“I got a share of negative comments. Some people — without knowing my story or my daughter’s story — accused me of forcing her to wear this dress to her wedding, to stay thin, or to get married,” Aneta disclosed. “My daughter would not wear this to her wedding — the dress doesn’t really have any sentimental value to me.”

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Overall, despite the occasional detractors, the response to the photos has been overwhelmingly sweet and positive. Aneta marveled at the swift passage of time as her daughter nears adulthood, expressing her deep affection for Carla, who is not only her daughter but also her closest friend. Time, as Aneta aptly noted, truly passes by in the blink of an eye.