Freshman Year

You've been a Freshman for two weeks today.

I know you've heard me say it time and time again but I remember you laying on my chest, all snug in a little bundle and rocking you for long stretches of time... just you and me. I miss that.

But I love this.

I love hearing about the highs and lows of life. I love your heart and I love seeing you walk through young adulthood. It's emotionally filled for the both of us.

There are going to be so many struggles in the next four years... similar to the first four years of life.
You'll be learning how to walk in this dark world with a lot less of my presence.
You'll be learning how to find your voice and communicate your wants and needs.
You'll be gaining a bit more independence.
You'll discover new likes and dislikes.
You'll fall... and you'll pick yourself back up again.

Through this season of growth, I pray that you will lean on our Heavenly Father and that even when this world fills your head with lies and hate and tries to create for you a worldly identity, that you'll stand firm on your identity in the One who never has let you down, the One who's Truth has been tested for thousands of years and never faltered.

I pray that you'll see me as your ally even when you are annoyed with my rules and standards. Trust that I really do have your best interest at heart. Roll your eyes when I tell you, I too was once a teenager and that I understand the pressures. It's ok. Cause I get that part too.

Peanut, you own this huge part of real estate in my heart. You and me, we're a lot alike.
So for the next 4 years, I'll be the one on the sidelines with open arms, cheering the loudest.
Go get 'em!

I love you. I love you. I love you.
Je t'aime. Je t'aime. Je t'aime.
Mom

Senior Year

Today was your last first day of high school.
At this time next year life will look much different.

I remember watching you as we walked along the streets of downtown Kansas City over 6 years ago. Crooked teeth, little side swept bangs, pony tail, tennis shoes, and a shy smile.
A moment frozen in time for me.

This one, this morning is too.
A young lady, not quite a woman.
Holding the little chalkboard with the word "senior" on it.

Senior.
We are nearing the end of a chapter.
One that I'm not sure I'm ready for.
A chapter that I've been part of for too short a time.
A chapter filled with laughing and tears and inside jokes and eye rolls and physical and emotional growth.
A chapter I've enjoyed every single minute of.

So while I take the next year and savor every single moment of it, I'll also be grieving a bit for the new chapter that's right around the corner.

There is no doubt in my mind that you are ready for this final year before the next big step.
You have worked hard. You have created this crazy plan and you've stuck to it. You have pushed yourself. You have created a vision and you are executing it beautifully.

I feel beyond blessed to be part of this journey with you.
I love you a whole bunch, A.

Happy Senior Year,
Marie