La La Land

As I scroll through social media and see all these posts from young moms who are taking their babies to Kindergarten, it makes me think about my own babies and how distinctly I remember each of their first days of school all those years ago. Their little ones, with those sweet faces and big smiles and the moms posting how it’s breaking their heart how fast they’ve grown, just takes me back and I empathize with all of them.

Then there are the posts from the older moms that have a freshman in high school or a senior in high school and what a big moment it is and wonder where all those elementary years went. And I empathize with them as well and I know that although you see your child every day, for some reason, seeing them walk in the school seems to shock you all of the sudden. How could this be? When did they grow up that fast?

One would think I would be posting online and feeling the same way to some point. For Pete’s sakes, I have a freshman in college now! A Junior in high school that’s finally driving herself and pause....a first time Junior High student! I have no more babies in elementary school at all and only two more kids to raise and I’m officially done. But am I sad? NO! Do I have a right to be sad? You bet! Have I been sad in the past every first day of school and how monumental it is? Absolutely!

But for some strange reason, I’m good to go! Probably helps a little that my brand new college kid will be going to school in town the first two years and living at home still. So that answers that one, and as far as the 11th grader, I’m thrilled! She got past the awkward freshman/sophomore years, is finally driving herself and even taking a college class. Basically becoming more independent and I love it! So not sad about that either.

And I “thought” my youngest baby girl heading to Junior High would get me in the heart, since it seems she’ll always be 7 years old to me. I remember exactly, the day I dropped my firstborn off at the Junior High for her first day of 6th grade and how nervous I was for her and how I couldn’t believe how fast she was growing up. I remember sitting across the street from the school watching her walk in and crying as I drove back to work. It was heartbreaking!

But … surprisingly, not the case when I dropped off my youngest last week. I thought it would get me, since she is my baby, and I was waiting for the emotions to hit me, but nothing came. We headed to the school, parked a block away, she gave me a quick lean in hug, jumped out and hollered “bye” and that was it. I drove off, swerving through crazy traffic and headed to work with a smile on my face and a feeling of relief. I was more thrilled that they were all back to school and facing new and exciting things, then I was sad.

This is very weird for me, because I’m pretty sappy and pretty sentimental. Especially at the first day of school time. And, I haven’t even taken all my first day of school pictures of everyone yet. Got the youngest one done but have yet to take pic of the other two. What is my deal? Not sure what has happened to me or if it just hasn’t hit me and I’m in some sort of la la land, but I’m excited for all three of them and haven’t shed one tear. Gonna be a great year!