HER STORY: Tammy – Is Building Your Own Legacy the KEY to Happiness?
Join Tanya Eivin Photography for a warm, candid conversation after a portrait session , HER STORY special portrait photoshoot where Tammy, 71, opens up about love, legacy , kindness , and stepping back into life with confidence. Below is our interview-style conversation — honest, conversational, and true to Tammy’s voice.
Interview with Tammy
First of all, can I ask you how old are you? How young are you?
Not old. 71.
How do you feel? What is the best thing about being your age?
I’m smarter than I used to be wiser. Definitely wiser. That’s the biggest thing. I think I’m kinder, too. You know, I just, you know, when you’re younger, it seems like it’s just different. I think I was always nice, but I think I’m just kinder, you know. And then two, I don’t feel my age. So that’s a plus.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Oh, my gosh. Well, um… I guess it would be my ex-husband, my father’s children. You know, I mean, when we were married, I didn’t appreciate him. But after we weren’t married, I did. You know, I just see whatever the things that I truly loved him. And love is supposed to be a choice. So, you know, I think I made a good choice to marry him. And that one regret I do have is getting a divorce , you know, mainly because his new wife, he gives her everything I did at the time. That sounds funny. Maybe you learn from me. I don’t know.
Are you open to dating again?
Yeah, I think it’s time. Yes. I’ve been single now for 14 years and I haven’t dated or even tried to date, you know, so… I’m comfortable being by myself. I’ve learned to be comfortable with me. And then, of course, I have my pets , my two cats and dog, and they keep me busy. But at this point, you also feel that you’ve learned to be comfortable with yourself, and now it’s really time to get back and give… so much that you have of that love inside of you and that kindness right and that wisdom to someone else as well yes I believe so it’s time it’s time.
What was an important turning point in your life?
When I think turning point, this is hard. I think when, after I was divorced, I think that just, how do I say, I don’t know how to say this. I had to get to know myself. I had to get to know myself because I didn’t, you know, if I were to start dating again, I would want to be… an important, I would like to benefit the person I’m dating. You know, I mean, just, you know, be their partner. And, you know, I think, you know, I’ve had kind of a lot of turning points, but the last one really opened my eyes, you know, it’s just, you need to like yourself, don’t, worry about what people think about you. Maybe not just like yourself, maybe also love yourself . Yes. Because it’s hard being loved by someone else if you don’t love yourself.
What is your greatest fear?
I guess it would be losing my children. You know, they’re very important to me. And that’s the biggest thing. The second thing is hopefully my brain works until I pass away. You know, people, because my mother had dementia. And I saw what she went through. And it was horrible. And… you know, and that and then what else? I don’t know if I’m afraid of anything. No, you’re pretty much this.
What personal trait are you most proud of?
Kindness right and i’m pretty generous i cannot i know i can’t pass a homeless person without giving them something that i mean i feel compassion for them empathy i wish i could help them more but I don’t care if people make, they say, oh, that person’s probably on drugs, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Well, you don’t know that. Right. And even if they’re mentally ill, you know, they need somebody to show them a little bit of kindness. Right. You know, I just, you know, it’s hard for me to see homeless people. I just, I just, it’s really hard. But, yeah. I guess that would be the trait, kindness and empathy.
What advice would you give to younger women in their 20s and 30s?
Respect yourself and don’t settle for less. You’re valuable.
How did the portrait session make you feel?
I do. I mean, I really love those pictures. I used to hate getting my picture taken, you know. I said, don’t take my picture, you know. But yeah, those made me… a lot a little bit feeling a little bit better more confident for sure and then you know now when you decided to also go out and date again i feel like it’s gonna it’s gonna really help exactly because i take terrible pictures i hate taking my selfies because it’s like it just doesn’t look right I’m good well it’s just you know it’s just the angles of the lighting that not always great but we’re not gonna work and prove that You look beautiful and you’re gorgeous and you are amazing inside and out.
Conclusion
Tammy’s story is a beautiful example of building a personal legacy through kindness, self-knowledge, and the courage to start anew. From the quiet wisdom of being 71 to the very real fears of losing loved ones and the determination to love herself first, Tammy reminds us: respect yourself, don’t settle, and let your kindness lead. Her portrait session, portrait photoshoot with Tanya Eivin Photography helped her see herself differently — more confident and ready for the next chapter.
Watch Tammy’s full conversation and portrait experience with Tanya Eivin Photography in the embedded video above.
