Special connection between mother and daughter
Aircraftman (AC) Phoebe Taylor has made sure that she can always be in touch with her mum, Wendy, after buying her a new phone for Mother’s Day.
“It was a real surprise. The first thing she bought me with her new career and new pay was a lovely phone,” Wendy said.
AC Taylor is one of the latest Air Force recruits to graduate and her mother was at the parade ground at Base Woodbourne to watch the achievement. Of Ngāti Porou descent, AC Taylor was chosen as the kaea (leader) for the haka performed by the new recruits.
“I was feeling such pride and I was so excited to see her again. It also meant a lot for us seeing her be the kaea for the haka.”
Wendy said she will miss her daughter on Mother’s Day, but is excited to see the opportunities the Air Force will bring.
“We’re really pleased — pleased that it’s the Air Force too,” she said.
“She’s going into logistics and most of her deployments will be more about keeping people safe — going to islands if there’s been a natural disaster. So I’ll be really excited to see her carry on and do this amazing career that she’s chosen.
“I always miss her, because she’s so far away at this stage, but she has so much confidence and is so capable.”
A highlight for Wendy was meeting her daughter’s extended military family.
“Phoebe’s made quite a tight group of friends and they’ll be friends for life. It was so neat to meet them and to meet their families, and to hear these families tell us how lovely Phoebe is, that was so great.
“I have no worries — I know they are going to look after each other.”
