Like Mother Like Daughter

When American Profile asked readers to send us photographs of look-alike mothers and daughters, along with a brief description of how these uncanny resemblances influence their lives, we received hundreds of submissions detailing this unique family bond. Many described being mistaken for sisters or twins, while others mentioned how the outward resemblances reflect inward similarities. Some photographs made us wonder whether human cloning already exists. Of course, one emotion was apparent in every letter—an enduring love for a family member who has shaped the other's life. Here are excerpts from a sampling we received.

"Everything I do is impacted by the fact that I look so much like my mother. Everyday I am reminded that I am her daughter, whether it is by someone I don't know approaching me (thinking I am her) and watching them realize after a few minutes that I am not her; or when we both come home at the end of the day wearing matching outfits, without ever planning to . . . Resembling each other has made us closer than many mothers and daughters, and for that I am thankful."
—Courtney Clayshulte, 21, of Mesilla, N.M., daughter of Beverly Clayshulte, 48, also of Mesilla

"As a young girl, it was always comforting to look into the face of my mother and see her eyes (my eyes!) looking back at me and cheering me on as I found my way. As I have grown older, she still cheers for me, and her eyes are still as beautiful, but it is her soul that has me captivated now. Her gentleness, her ease with people, her deep faith, her loving heart, and her radiant spirit . . . these are some of the look-alike traits I would be honored to share with her one day as well."
—Dalaina Caye Randolph Harrell, 42, of Shelby Township, Mich., daughter of Caye Cannon Randolph, 62, of Rochester, Mich., photo by John Meiu

"I have been told my entire life that I look exactly like my mom. I have always taken this as a compliment as she is a beautiful woman . . . I teach middle school and when my mom came to visit, my students were surprised to find out I had a 'twin sister' that I had never told them about."
—Christy Combs, 35, of Phoenix, Ariz., daughter of Rosie McClellan, 56, of Fairfield, Iowa

"I admire my mother so much. Because I look so much like her I feel I must maintain the dignity and strength that she has, and it must be reflective in me and in the life I lead."
—Delores Hodges, 58, of Columbia, Md., daughter of Dorothy Haslerig, 82, of Chickamauga, Ga.

"My daughter and I look a lot alike. People tell me that it looks like I gave birth to myself. I feel lucky that God gave me a healthy child and that she looks just like me. My daughter gets tired of people telling us we look alike, but at times I know she enjoys hearing it too. I believe that it has brought us closer and I enjoy seeing myself in her."
—Sara Marquez, 34, of Albuquerque, N.M., mother of Tylor Romero, 13

"This amazing girl never ceases to light up my life. It's a delight to be so much alike—both inside and out!"
—Charlene West, 48, of Modesto, Calif., mother of Megan West, 21, of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

"She has a heart of gold, a nurturing and philanthropic nature, a wisdom way beyond her world experiences, a never-ending optimistic spirit, a joy in her heart and a song on her lips . . . She has inspired me to be the best I can be, to treat others as I'd like to be treated, to help rather than hinder, to be a good friend, mother and wife, and to inspire others not only by instruction and leadership, but in the very way I conduct myself and lead my own life."
—Cristy S. Moore, 58, of Henderson, Nev., daughter of Carolyn Criswell, 77, of Burnettsville, Ind.

"Both of our children (both daughters) were 'special ordered' (adopted) . . . After we lost our older daughter in a car accident and Emily grew into a teenager, the two of us began receiving occasional comments from total strangers, 'Of course, that's your mother! You look just like her!' . . . It has given Emily and me a smiling tie that even though we know we don't look identical, there is a look about us that says we belong to each other."
—Candy Roberts, 51, of Bartlesville, Okla., mother of Emily Roberts Burkinshaw, 21, of Provo, Utah

"I take pride in looking like my mom. I really look up to her and think she is a beautiful woman. I can only hope to aspire to be like her someday in the future."
—Sara Slear, 21, of Lewisburg, Pa., daughter of Laurie Slear, 44, also of Lewisburg

" I never realized how much we looked alike until one night when I was home alone. I walked by a mirror in our house and jumped because I thought it was my mom . . . We seem to like to do many of the same things. Together we enjoy scrapbooking, jewelry making, wood splitting, camping, dirt-bike riding and just spending time together. My mom is my best friend and I am proud to look like her on the inside and outside."
—Rachel Stuewer, 18, of Columbiaville, Mich., daughter of Pam Stuewer, 44, also of Columbiaville, photo by Kevin Keel

"Since Maggie was born, I've heard exclamations of shock from strangers, family and friends. But even I didn't realize our alike-ness until my father commented, 'I wasn't ever sure if I believed that genes were passed down through the generations. But now I am convinced without a doubt."'
—Jodi Del Re, 35, of Northborough, Mass., mother of Maggie Del Re, 5, photo by Marshall Wolff

"It doesn't matter if I am in my small town of 500 people or if I am in the Twin Cities, there is always someone who will come up to me and ask, 'Aren't you Ginger's daughter?' It occurs so often that my mom had a shirt made up for me this Christmas that says, 'Yes—I Am Ginger's Daughter."'
—Kari Bjerke, 22, of Clearbrook, Minn., daughter of Ginger Brusewitz, 47, also of Clearbrook, photo by Rebecca Larson

"Tasha and I have always been close and I can honestly say she is like the sister I never had and truly my best friend as well as my daughter."
—Carol Schmidt, 53, of Salina, Kan., mother of Natasha Porter, 32, of Grandview, Mo.

"Whether we are grocery shopping or at the mall, people constantly tell us how much we look alike and also ask who does our perms. Sorry, the curls are all natural for both of us. It warms my heart when people say she is a 'mini-me."'
—Cindy Bujanovich, 43, of Hales Corners, Wis., mother of Danielle, 5