Melissa's Reflection

The story behind the Reflection Coin Pendant is one that is deeply personal to me.

Over the last 10+ years with Tiny Tags, I have heard hundreds of stories and made countless connections with moms in our community. Each interaction has shaped part of who I am today and what I have come to believe is that every mother wants to be the best mother she can be, and in order to do that she must love herself first. The symbols on this charm speak to this truth and represent the gifts we need to give ourselves before we can share them with others.

This piece is also a way for me to honor my story. Like so many women, when I became a mom I spent time reflecting on my relationship with my own mother. Our dynamic was not an easy one. I grew up with my father while my mother struggled to show up in my life. She didn’t call or visit as often as I would have liked; actions which were difficult for me to understand as a child. It’s only now—years later, and after what I have learned from the women in the Tiny Tags community—that I’ve come to understand my mother’s journey. I see now that her shortcomings weren’t because she didn’t love me, but because she didn’t fully love herself. My hope is that this necklace will be a beautiful reminder to every mom to love herself and own her story so that she can be her best possible self for her children.

As for me, being a mom to my three precious boys has been the absolute greatest gift I ever could have imagined. I am proud of the mother I have been to them and how close we are even now that they’re teenagers. As I prepare for my oldest son to go off to college next year, I know the best gift I can give him is to stand tall and let him know I will be okay with him heading into the world. In this new chapter, I am reminded that the most important relationship I have is with myself, and wearing the Reflection Coin Pendant is a beautiful acknowledgement of this self love.

- Melissa Clayton, Tiny Tags Founder + CEO