What’s in a photograph?
There is so much about a photograph that I love. I love having pictures printed, being able to hold a memory in my hand makes it come alive. It will really highlight how much can change in a decade.
A photograph will always evoke a memory, a moment in time that we want to keep hold of forever. For me capturing these moments is just as important as living the experience.
When it came to thinking about rounding up this decade it didn’t take me long to realise that I needed to do this via some of the 1000’s of pictures I have taken over the last 10 years.
2010 vs 2020
What better way to look at how much has changed in a decade than some then and now pictures?
Claire 2010 vs Claire 2020
A slight change, although 2020 is most definitely a year where some further change is needed. That wedding dress is calling!
Would you look at almost 2 year old F, what an absolute cutie-pie! But would you look at the handsome young man he is growing up to be, at almost 12, I can’t believe the difference 10 years has made. I remember that baby so well but it feels like a million years ago.
As the decade began, it was just F and I. Of course I had my parents, my family and friends but when the door closed at night it was me and mini me. Flash forward and now I am one of a family of 5! I didn’t see the change coming, didn’t expect it but wouldn’t change it for the world.
Even just a few years and some facial hair… Him, not me, can make a huge difference! In that first picture we’d only been together for a few months, just a few weeks later he’d asked me to move in and 2018 began together, under one roof in a new town with a new job!
In 2012 I had F and my oldest friend was the young, free, single one. Now as 2020 begins, we have 5 children between us. My two beautiful, funny Godson’s, F and my step-daughters. It’s no surprise we’ve aged a little! Just shows home much can change in a decade.
How the hell does this happen? One minute they are babies and the next they are too cool to be seen with us!
These 2 have been a part of each others life since newborns. They were often mistaken for twins despite 4 month old F looking like he may have eaten a one week teeny E for breakfast!
They are like brother and sister, they will fight but protect each other to the end. I hope they are friends forever.
Top 20 for 2020
While I was looking through pictures to put this post together, I found it incredibly difficult to choose my favourites. Of course once I began looking, I was reminded of so many wonderful moments over the last 10 years and forced to see the changes a decade can have.
Some life changing moments captured forever. And because I couldn’t make my mind up, I decided to share 20 of my favourite pictures from the last 10 years. OK so 10 of 10 would make more sense but I just couldn’t decide!
This picture was taken at the Natural History Museum in London in 2013. It’s a picture of my Mum on the left and my Auntie Moira. I love this picture, it perfectly sums up them both and a wonderful display of silliness. I wonder where I get it from!
In 2012, my oldest friend turned 30. I wanted to by a nice dress and this prompted my weight loss journey. 5 months of hard work and I was 5 stone lighter for her birthday. It was a huge moment for me and Sam turned 30 in glam style.
In 2013 it was my turn to celebrate 30. This day was all ready life changing. 14 months after I decided it was time to get healthy, I hit my target loss of 8 stone on the day I was planning to celebrate my birthday.
I wasn’t expecting to walk in to a room full of people I love who had surprised me for my birthday. This picture was the moment I realised my internet buddies from all over the country were there! The true enormity of what was going on hit me. I have never been more surprised or overwhelmed in my life. It was absolutely amazing!
I can’t tell you why this picture from 2012 is so special but I just love it. They really were best friends.
This picture signifies something I never thought I’d experience. Me and my pal had just spent the day modelling wedding dresses! ME! MODELLING! It still seems completely crazy to me but it was such a fun day and really helped my confidence.
Christmas 2014 will forever be about this picture. I can’t tell you how much I laughed. It was enough when he had the mask on, but when he put his glasses over the top, well it just pushed me over the edge! This picture makes me smile every time I see it.
Sometimes a selfie is the best kind of picture. This one makes me laugh because we were practically crying just trying to take it. Sum’s us up perfectly.
This picture! It is so simple and was taken because I was teasing Sarah about her choice of shopping bag but I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me! Sorry Sarah! We do have a lot of pictures like this!
This picture of my parents brings me so much joy. To me this epitomises true love. They truly adored each other and this photo will forever remind me of that fact.
What is not to love about this picture? Disneyland 2015, me and the boy had just had a Mickey breakfast and this picture just shows how excited F was to meet him. I particularly had to prize him off him!
The final countdown…
This is not the best picture in the bunch but it is once of my favourites. F had won a meal at a local pub in a school raffle. He was so excited at the time about taking me on a date. He wanted to dress up smart and even let himself out of the house and knocked on the door to call for his ‘date’. It was so much fun, this picture was taken just after we’d been serenading each other as well. I hope that my boy continues to treat girls with the respect he showed me that day. It was magical.
This photo is my most treasured. It was at the Christmas gift fair at the NEC in 2015. It was one of our favourite annual trips. I was taking a selfie of me in the hat and Mum photobombed me and I am so very glad she did. It brings back wonderful memories and makes me smile every time I see it.
This is the day I passed my driving test. It took a long time to get my ass in gear to learn. I was elated to receive my license after a first attempt. This picture is so full of emotion and I can feel the sense of pride in my boys eyes. It really did change our lives.
This picture was caught by chance. The sun was shining so brightly, I could barely see the boy let alone know what he was up to. But I love the result. It looks like he is about to fly off on a broom!
This annual event is held to celebrate my Godson’s birthday. In 2017 it was extra special as it was the year I first spoke to Rob. I owe that party a huge amount! And a gentle nudge from my pal!
I can’t quite put my finger on what I love about this picture but I really do love it. Maybe it’s because it is the last time I didn’t hate a picture i’m in. Or maybe it is the sense of pride I felt at the monster walk or just the fact that it was a bloomin’ lovely weekend. I am not sure but it makes me happy when I see it.
This is still my favourite family picture, I have shared it before but I will never get tired of it. I think it perfectly sums us up as a family.
A picture that means so much. 35th birthday and Rob had just proposed to me at the restaurant where we had our first date. He took me by complete surprise and he absolutely nailed the ring! Even now, whenever we head to the restaurant I get butterflies remembering that moment.
This has to be without a doubt my favourite picture of this year. Yes the few people directly in front of the castle spoil it a little but I just adore it. Such a simple moment captured perfectly. It will forever remind me of the trip and the girls seeing it for the first time.
This picture is so important for many reasons. Firstly it was the day that Rob and I had our wedding blessing at the Hospice that cared for mum. It is one of the last photo’s of my Mum and I but also the last time I saw her really smile. I will treasure this photograph always. It breaks my heart when I see it but it also brings me so much joy at the same time.
Here’s to what could change in the next decade
And that’s it, my 20 for 2020. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years brings, what pictures I will come to treasure, what memories will be made and special moments we will share. And just how much will change in a decade… AGAIN!
What are your highlights of the last 10 years? I’d love to see your most treasured pictures.
Happy new year to all those that have continued to support me this year, I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings for us all.
Wow, what a decade! I’m impressed you were able to even sum it up, and I loved the look into your life and it’s changes. Perfectly imperfect picture selections.
Thank you so much 💕
Happy new year to you x
Aww Claire, what a lovely sum up of your last decade. So much love, happiness and success. You’ve done amazing with your weight loss too. Wishing you a very exciting and truly happy new decade xx
Thank you so much Lovely. Here’s to the ‘20s!
Happy new year Darling x
You really have had a busy decade. I love the comparison photos. They really show what has changed in ten years. This has been an amazing decade for me and the 2020s will have to work extremely hard to top it but I absolutely cannot wait to see what the next decade has in store!
Thank you! I completely agree, ‘20s have a lot to live up to.
Happy new year x x
Wow, it’s insane to think about how much things can change without us really noticing. Life can feel so uneventful, but when you look back at an entire decade you realise how much is different (and how much is the same).
I totally agree, it’s so important to look back at it all x x
Love this!! It is amazing to compare. Cheers to an awesome 2020 to you all
And to you my lovely x
This is a really cute way to reflect on the last 10 years! It’s really interesting to view your life through these different moments and pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading x
Great photos! I absolutely love taking pictures and capturing memories!
Wow! The last decade looks to have served you and your beautiful family and inner circle well. May the 20’s provide you even more in store <3
Happy NEW Year!
It sounds like a busy decade for you! It was for us too but it seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye!
I am looking forward to doing a look back post, it is amazing how much everything has changed in the last decade
Love the photos! What a decade you’ve had, I really like how you’ve set it out as well with comparison photos. I hope you have an even better decade to come 💖 Happy new year.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
What a great decade in review! 10 years ago I was flat broke, in a terrible marriage, had a toddler, with another baby on the way. Never would have imagined we would have the life we have now but all the hard years in the early part of the decade were worth it to get here.
Wow! A lot changes in a decade. Time flys. Loved a look into your life.
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much Hina. And to you x x
What a great post! Love the photos and your story. Here’s to a great 2020 and the next 10 years!
Thank you so much Mark x
This post is amazing! It must have been so lovely looking back and putting this post together. So many lovely photos and memories here! Happy new year, I hope your next decade is just as fabulous x
This is such a lovely wrap up post for the decade. It’s lovely looking back. I didn’t bother as alot of it would fill my heart with sadness I’m not quite ready for, but in lou of looking back over my own decade, I’ve enjoyed yours. Here’s to 2020!
I was thinking the same – what a decade it has been!
A lot has changed in a decade. Great post 🙂
I SO feel this post! this weekend the kids and I sat down with our photo album – I make one for each child every year. My twins (firstborn) came to this world in 2010 so it really is amazing to go through pictures and realize how much life changed (we even have a very similar photo from our own Disneyland trip) I hope the next decade brings you more joy and blessings.
I love all these photos and memories, even if the last one is bittersweet. More love to you for the next ten years, Claire! xox
I absolutely love this! And isn’t it true how some pictures perfectly capture how we were feeling that moment!
It’s wild to look back and see just how much has changed over the years, isn’t it? I know that I shrugged it off as not being ‘that big’ in our house until I sat down and actually reflected on everything… Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Britt. It is easy to think it is not that long a time but so much can happen in 10 years x
Such a lovely review of your decade! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading x x
Crazy how life can change in 10 year. I look back and wonder why I used to wear so much make-up!
What an amazing decade! So sorry to hear that you lost your mum. I am sure she would be so proud of you. Here’s to a great 2020!
Great post – I wish my decade could be so concisely demonstrated! I’m afraid mine is far messier.
I love the pictures! Your blog is very personal and I am absolutely loving it! I wish you all the best for the next decade or two! Happy New Year! xxx
Thank you so much Monika x x
Oh My God! High Transformation. Life changes, Time heals 🙂
Thank you for reading x x
I got very teary eyed reading your journey. The pictures of your family growing from you to a family of 5 are beautiful to behold. I appreciate you sharing this with us. Congratulations on your weight loss and improvement in health.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment x x
I’m so happy for you, I hope the next 10 years are even better for you 🙂
I really hope so x x x
wow! You had an amazing decade! You also did an awesome job with the post!! I enjoyed it very much! Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you so much Sharon x
This is such a lovely post. It’s amazing all of the changes that we all go through all of the years.
It is easy to forget how much has changed and developed over the year x
That was a fun read
Seeing the kids grow up especially shows the the progression of time. And I too had to lose weight to fit into a bridesmaid’s dress last decade. It’s amazing how much has happened.
It’s increible how much can change in a decade. But I think we forget how long a decade is because it often goes so quickly. Love your photos – you have such a beautiful happy little family! x
Thank you Jenny 💕
such a lovely post! I really like the fact that you add so many images, making it much more enjoyable to read!
Thank you x
This is such a lovely blog post! Yes, if we keep going then a lot can change in a decade! Thank you for reminding me how important is to keep doing and keep living my life to the fullest x
Thank you so much for reading x x
What a great idea to capture memories over the past 10 years!
Thank you Minda x x
It’s amazing the volumes a photograph can speak, esp. at a 10 year view! Great idea and very interesting article!
Claire what a beautiful visual diary! And how brave to share it with us. Reading it made me feel like I was visiting with one of my besties! 🥰
I absolutely love this post. I love the pictures – its such a nice collection of memories. What a journey you’ve had over the past decade!
Thank you so much Rachael x
Looks like you had a good decade. I wish I had thought of this idea. Thanks for posting.
Thank you Mike x
What a lovely post! It’s so nice to see all of the amazing things that this decade brought for you and your family. And all of your happy photos made me smile, great idea for a post! 🙂
Thank you so much. It has been a very special decade x
You have had quite a decade. It is truly amazing how much can happen and change in the span of 10 years.
I love photos. I have no minds eye so they’re really important for me. Looking at your family photos is so lovely, and the changes are amazing. You look so different! What a decade. Here’s to the next one! X
Wow, what a beautiful post Claire and I’m so happy to learn you lost so much weight and hit your target for your surprise birthday party. Your photographs are an absolute delight and I couldn’t pick a favourite but I do love the one of the three little photobombers in front of Disneyland 🙂
Oh thank you so much Carol, that is so kind of you. The Disney one is high up there for me too x
I love this post. What a great idea and amazing how much can change in 10 years! Sometimes things that happened 10 years ago I always think was yesterday and I end up holding onto a lot of that past, but 2020 for me I am going to take notice that the past is the past and work on a new future. Here is to another 10 years!
Thank you Cassie, I completely get where you are coming from x x
I hadn’t really given it much thought until reading this post. Now I think about it an awful lot can change over one decade, thinking back to all the memories and how different I am now compared to then. You have got me wanting to dig through all the old photos and compare.
You really should, looking back is always a lot of fun x
I love looking through photos too. I spent a few hours with my duaghters on new years eve looking back and reminiscing, it was such fun. Mich x
That is such a lovely way to spend New years eve x x
It is amazing how much can change in 10 years, even more so when you have kids as they grow up so quickly x
They really do, you can’t quite believe the change it makes. As adults we barely change x
What a beautiful comparison you have made and I can imagine it took you a while to decide which photo to showcase and what to speak about. For me, the birth of my children is the highlight which took place in the last 10 years.
What lovely photos to show some amazing times you’ve had in the past decade. What a great way to look back on those years.
Lovely post looking back at a decade of memories and changes. I think I’d really struggle to only pick 10 favourite photos from 10 years so can see why you picked 20. Hope 2020 brings you lots of happy events and memories.
I think I could have chosen hundreds in reality, so hard to whittle down. Thank you so much Elizabeth. And to you x x
Ohh what a lovely post. I love looking back at photos, one of the best things I ever did was start printing them out instead of them all being digital and online. Thanks for sharing your story.
I love printing them out too. It makes the memory so much more real x x
So many wonderful memories captured in your photos. I hope that the next 10 years bring you many more. Have a great New Year.
Isn’t it incredible what changes can be made in a decade? This was a lovely post to read, a great look back!
I can’t believe it is a new decade already. I really like how you have compared the 2010 vs 2020 photos
Thank you! I honestly have no idea where the time goes x
Oh wow this is amazing. You are right we do change. Love your story about the dress and weight loss xx
I’ve never been one for photos, so I have to rely on the ones others take 😂 I can’t imagine the difference there would be between 2010 and 2020 me 😬
What a beautiful post, I loved seeing your memories, it’s so lovely to look back and see what has changed isn’t it.
Thank you Eddie, Life moves so quickly around us at times that it is nice to stop and reflect x
Wow, you look a lot different than 10 years ago, and in a good way 🙂
Thank you x x