Last night we drove by an elementary school in our neighborhood. It seemed to be kindergarten open house because lots of little tykes and their parents were walking hand in hand to and from the school. Bright white sneakers…colorful, shiny backpacks…fresh haircuts…endless excitement… 

it was so cute. I couldn’t help but think back to my kids’ first days of kindergarten. Like the photo above. That was Tanner’s first day of kindergarten. Wasn’t he a cutie?

And guess where that little cutie was today? At another first day of school. 

His first day of his senior year of high school. 

That’s right. My baby – my youngest – has marked his last first day of school. 

I’m so excited for him, but I’m just a little heartbroken. 

No more fresh boxes of Crayolas or supplies of Kleenex, no more Elmer’s glue. 

I’ve spent years raising two wonderful boys and it never occurred to me that this was a phase that would actually come to an end. But it is. And we’re almost there. 

In fact, the next phase starts for Drew next week with his first day of college. 

Course schedules, college credits, campus bookstores. Is this really my child?! It’s a new world. 

For now, I’m going to think about our school memories and let my heart fill with pride — with lots of smiles and a few tiny tears.