The Mommy Affect: Helen (Talltique) & Diane

Each day this week I will share one to two stories leading up to Mother’s Day. The purpose for TALL District’s Mommy Affect Series is to honor moms who make a difference in our tall lives. It also provides an opportunity to shed light on the ‘tall’ impact that mothers and mother figures of all heights (short, tall, average) have on their tall daughters ‘height experience’ and confidence.

Introducing mommy and daughter duo 5’3” Diane Pappas and 6’4” Helen Pappas , respectively, from Centerville, Maryland and Washington, DC.

Helen & Diane’s Story

Daughter (Helen):                    Mother (Diane):
Helen P.                                   Diane P.
6’4” / 29                                   5’3” / 60

Mommy Affect: Daughter’s Perspective (Helen)

Moms Impact
My mother had a positive impact on my height experience and my confidence. Of course it was hard growing up and being more than a foot taller than all of the women in our family, because I always felt like I stuck out when I didn’t necessarily want to. But, my mom always told me “shoulders back! stand up straight! be proud!” which sticks with me to this day. As a tall woman, the most empowering thing we can do for ourselves is to walk with our head held high.

My mom has given me the confidence and inspired me to start Talltique, my answer for the clothing shopping problems that we tall women face. My mom, though she is not tall, understands the trials that I went through growing up and has helped inspire me to help other tall women who are struggling to find a sense of style and clothes that fit their body and their personality.

“ …horseback riding was an activity that brought normalcy to my life and fostered my love of horses to this day.”

Activities to Create Normalcy
Having grown up with Marfans Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects many tall people, I was unable to play basketball or most team sports. Instead, my parents found that horseback riding was an activity that brought normalcy to my life and fostered my love of horses to this day.

Takes a village: Women who had a lasting Impact
Growing up I was always the tallest girl everywhere: at school, at church, within my family, whenever I went out in public. I did not have any other tall women in my life until I got to college at Georgetown University. There I was able to bond with many other tall women, most who played sports, and who also gave me a sense of “wow, I’m not the tallest girl in the world after all!” even though growing up I always felt that I was the tallest. At school I met my best friend, Sydney who is 6’6” and has had a huge impact on my life and on my confidence.

Interaction with Tallistas
I hope to inspire young tall women to know two things: First, you are not alone! You are not the tallest girl in the world, and you will find other tall women who are going through the same things you are. Second, I want them to know that being tall is a blessing. It may feel like a curse growing up, but being different is a beautiful thing and someday soon you will absolutely appreciate and love that you are a gorgeous tall woman who stands out from the crowd in a great way.

Recommendations from a tall daughter to a mother
The best advice I can give young tall women, and their mothers, is to hold their head up high and to come and visit me at Talltique. Many women, and teens, have called this a life changing experience. It’s a great feeling to not only meet another woman who is 6’4” (me), but to be able to try on clothes that are actually long enough and flattering for our tall frames is an absolute must!

Message to Mom

Mom, though you are short in stature you still helped me navigate my life as a tall girl growing up. You had a huge impact on me and my self confidence. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without you and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without you. I love you!

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Mommy Affect: Mother’s Perspective (Diane) 

“Often, I wished I could have just protected her from peoples stares and their inappropriate comments.” – Diane Pappas

Height Awareness
Helen was always registering in the 100 percentile for height but it was evident to us when she was two years old and passing down her old clothes to her 4 year old cousin.

Raising a Tallista
Raising a tall daughter was different as we come from a family of very petite females, ranging from 4’8″ to 5′.  At 5’3″ I was the tallest in the family, and then came Helen.

When I was with Helen, everyone felt the need to ask if I was her mom and how tall her father was. When we replied he was of average height they had to know where Helen got her height from. Then out came the old story of how Helen’s great-great aunt Doula came from a village in Greece and was rumored to have been 6′ tall. That’s tall for a Greek woman!

Of course, Helen was always badgered about which team she played basketball for. That never seems to get old for some people. She also always had to be seated in family photos or relegated to the back row for group photos.

Often, I wished I could have just protected her from peoples stares and their inappropriate comments.

Overcoming Tall Chalenges
Challenges of raising a tall daughter included the diificulties in reprimanding a child taller than you from the age of 10 or so. Also, one of the biggest challenges was shoppping. All moms and daughters loved going to the mall except for us. These excursions were exhausting and even her dad could not understand why.

We often resorted to looking for hours and were forced to look at adult sizes due to the length we were seeking but all too often, the darts were in the wrong place and the overall look was way too mature. Our failed shopping expediton often resulted in the purchase of a lonely eye shadow because we could literally find nothing that fit.

I once had some pants made by a tailor but she was still growing and outgrew them after wearing them only twice. That was an expensive lesson!

We  actually once planned our vacation around a visit to a store in Vancouver to give Helen an opportunity to shop. That, sadly, was a bust.

Tall Resources
Our tall resources included Tall Girls at Tyson Corners. The only tall shop in all of the DC metro area. Hard to understand how the most powerful city in the world had only one resource.  They were a single store that had all departments in one space. Juniors, adults, outerwear, formal wear, maternity, and swim wear.  When they closed their doors we were devastated.

Barefoot Tess was our shoe savior. They were located in Baltimore however they are no longer  there.

Today, is different as there are many online resources. Twenty years ago we were not as fortunate.

Advice From One Mother to Another
My advice for other moms, not just of tall daughters, is to listen to their daughters. Ask their opinions too, don’t just offer up your own. Don’t push your style on them. Let them create their own persona and their own style.

Thank you Diane and Helen for sharing your tall journey with us.

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I hope you enjoyed reading Amber and Annie’s story. I would love to hear your stories as well. Leave a comment in the section below and tell us what you think about the post and/or share your ‘Mommy Affect’ story.

TALL Blessings,
J. Enovy

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