This is my favorite photo of my Grandma, Kay Padovano, circa 1944 when she was about 18 years old.

She was the eldest daughter in her family and her parents, recent Italian immigrants, expected her not to marry and to stay home and take care of them as per family traditions of the time.

This photo was taken in a neighbor’s rose garden, one of her favorite places to escape and daydream.

I think the photo looks glamorous, but she told me that the head-wrap was made out of a pair of old pajamas! 🙂

Lucky for us, Kay defied her parents and married my grandfather. They went on to raise five children, ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

She is still going strong…also lucky for us! ~shared by @k_ylin