From My Mother’s Heart to Mine: The Story Behind Uncovered and Some Her Favorite Pix

Some of you who’ve followed me for years know that I share a special bond with my mom. You’ve seen small pieces of it on Instagram, and some of you may have read about it in my previous Uncovered books.

In everyone’s life, there’s usually one person who becomes your foundation and your strength. For me, that person has always been my mother.

She’s been my guide through all the ups and downs, my best friend, the person I trust the most, and my biggest supporter. She’s the one I turn to for advice, and she’s always there to celebrate my victories, no matter how small.

As a child, I didn’t fully understand how deep our connection was. Like any close relationship, we’ve had our rough moments, times when I pulled away or thought I knew better. But even in those times, her love was always there, waiting for me with open arms and that warmth that could make everything right again. She’s always been strong, but it’s a quiet, soft strength. She protected me from the tough parts of life, never letting me feel the weight of her struggles. She always put me first, and that resilience became a model for how I handle my own challenges today.

Whenever I’ve faced questions about life, love, or who I am, she’s been the first person I turn to. She never judged me or tried to change me. Instead, she listened and gave me the freedom to explore life’s twists and turns, knowing I could always come back to her for support.

Her love has always made me feel safe, even when I made mistakes or chose the wrong path. No matter what, she reminded me, “You are enough.”

There’s something powerful about knowing someone believes in you completely, even when you can’t believe in yourself. In moments when I’ve felt overwhelmed or ready to give up, it’s her voice I hear, steady and loving, telling me I’m capable of more than I think. Her faith in me has been a lifeline, giving me the courage to keep going.

Her love has always been unconditional. She loves all of me—the good, the messy, and the imperfect parts too. She’s seen me at my best and at my worst, and her love has never wavered. That’s a precious thing in a world that often tells us we need to be more or do more. Her love has given me the freedom to grow and learn without fear of losing her support.

My mom has always been my biggest fan, so I couldn’t resist sharing some of her favorite images from the Uncovered project.

She’s been by my side the entire way, offering advice and helping me push through when things seemed impossible. It was actually her idea, when I visited her last January, that I needed to finish the project, no matter how hard it was. She even helped me pick images and lay out Seafarer’s story after her long workdays.

It’s amazing how much some of the images from Uncovered resonated with her. She has a beautiful way of seeing beyond the surface and finding deeper meaning, even when I’m not fully clothed! It was a great reminder that no matter how personal your work is, there’s always someone who sees it, understands it, and loves it just as much as you do.

So, here they are—my mom’s favorite picks from Uncovered. Each one holds a little piece of our journey together, full of love, growth, and maybe a few blush-worthy moments!

As I write this, I’m overwhelmed by how much I owe to her. Not in a way that feels heavy, but in a way that fills me with gratitude.

*to my Mom: “I know you translate and read all my posts, so I just want to say:

“You’ve always been my rock, my safe place, and my constant source of love. I can never fully repay you for everything you’ve done, but I hope you know how deeply I love and appreciate you. Your love is the greatest gift I’ve ever received, and I am forever grateful.”

ALEXANDER ABRAMOV1 Comment