Rita Hall: There’s something about mothers and daughters, you go through a period I’d say between 13 and 17 where you don’t get along. I don’t care how much you love one another, you just don’t get along. You’re searching for your womanhood and to her you’re still a child.

Sarah Peters: I can’t wait to actually be on my own and be myself and not have to answer to her and not have to explain to her why I’m doing this a certain way.

Missy Kay: My relationship with my mom is absolutely wonderful, most of the time. But sometimes I just want to get away.

Kari Fujita: i’m looking forward to college.  I’m looking forward to being a little more independent. I’m looking forward to moving away from home.

Graduation verite footage
announcer: Kari Ann Fujiti

Judi Fujita: I’d love to be able to be there for Kari, but she needs to be an independent person and I have to allow her to do that…She was putting her dress on, it’s all white, and she said, ‘I feel like I’m getting married.’ And it made me very sad.

(SONG:  “Letting Go”)

Kari: I’m going three thousand miles away and I don’t think she really knows how to deal with it. She doesn’t know how to let go of me just yet.

(“Letting Go”)

Kari: I do feel guilty that I am leaving my mom. My sister and I have been her life for the past 20 years and so it’s gonna be a big change for her.

Judi: After you’ve been a mom for 22 years and you’ve done nothing but be a mom, I think I should have probably worked because now I would have a life. On the other hand, my children I don’t think would be who they are if I didn’t spend the last 21 years, um, making them.

Kari: I have to move on. Can’t be mommy’s little girl forever. So…