My Story Behind the Tag - Jenn Cohen
I wear the beautiful horizontal bar necklace with my children’s names engraved on the front. It’s simple, meaningful, and something I rarely take off because it represents the people who have shaped my life most profoundly.
On the back is a phrase that has followed me through every stage of life: “Go slow, Madela.”Madela is a Yiddish term of endearment that my grandmother and mother have called me for as long as I can remember. Growing up, they would say, “Go slow, Madela” whenever I was rushing through life, trying to do too much, or moving so fast that I risked missing what was right in front of me. It was their gentle reminder to slow down, be present, and trust that not everything needs to happen all at once. As a mother, those words have taken on an entirely new meaning.
Like so many moms, I often find myself balancing the demands of life and the endless mental load that comes with caring for others. Between raising my children and co-hosting the Mighty as a Mother podcast, life can feel like a constant race from one thing to the next. When I reach for my necklace, I am reminded to pause. To notice the small moments. To sit a little longer during bedtime stories. To listen more closely. To remember that my life isn’t a checklist to complete but a journey to experience fully and wholly.
What makes this necklace especially meaningful is that it tells the story of both where I come from and where I’m going. The names on the front represent the family I’m raising. The words on the back connect me to the women who raised me and the wisdom they’ve passed down through generations.
My Tiny Tags necklace is more than jewelry. It’s a daily reminder of the people I love most and the lesson I’m still learning every day: slow down, soak it in, and trust that the moments that matter most are often the ones that can’t be rushed.
Whenever I read those words—“Go slow, Madela”—I hear my mom’s voice, my grandmother’s voice, and the maternal love behind a reminder that has carried me through childhood, motherhood, and will no doubt carry my through the rest of my life.
Jenn Cohen
Instagram: @mightyasamotherpodcast
