AS YOU GRADUATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

They say don’t blink. I truly thought I kept my eyes wide open for these past 6 years. But the inevitable happened. I closed my eyes for just a second and in the blink of an eye 6 years came and went. Today you graduated. This post is a thank you to my daughter as you graduate elementary school. A thank you for letting me hold your hand so tightly through every grade, every memory, every disappointment and every triumph.

I had such a heavy heart 6 years ago when you left your daycare and preschool. I thought those were the biggest years. Watching you go from preschooler to an elementary schooler was so hard. Little did I know what would come when we closed that chapter of your childhood.

The past 6 years were packed with little moments that became big moments. Little lessons that would become life lessons. With each grade you grew in size. With each grade you grew in personality. While time is a thief and so many times I wanted time to slow down I also vowed to strap in and go for this ride right along side of you.

You had some of the greatest challenges my sweet daughter. And while I would have given anything to take those away from you I realize they only made you who you are. You are braver, wiser and more gentle for it. You conquered. And you never gave up. Some know your story and others do not. But all anyone needs to know is the outcome. That challenges don’t define us. They only make us stronger.

As you graduate elementary school, just remember despite the challenges you left your mark. In front of a crowd of hundreds of people you were chosen to give your 5th grade speech. Those that know your story know what an accomplishment that was. You stood proud. You stood beautiful. And everyone heard you, but no one heard you clearer than me. I told you once before that the world is your stage Summer and we will always be front row watching you dance. “When you have the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you’ll dance”. And dance you did. What a finale to this super packed chapter of your life.

I knew you would learn and grow and make friends during your years in elementary school. But the one thing I didn’t know was the gift you would actually give to me. The gift of friendship. You brought 5 families together that were once strangers and have now become extended members of our family. These were the girlfriends I waited for my entire life and it’s because of you. And while our friendship doesn’t end here, your elementary school will always be the place where our story began. So thank you for one of the greatest gifts you could have given me. This group is what gets us all through the highs and lows of raising kids. You brought them into my life when I needed them the most.

As you graduate elementary school, just understand why your mom cried the way she did. She thought preschool was a hard goodbye. But this is even harder. Each graduation is just a a reminder that you are growing up. That each stage I couldn’t wait to experience as a mother is coming to an end.

The tears were surely bittersweet this week. Having an only child, I only get to experience each stage once. But how lucky I am you let me experience it all so closely to you. We keep saying that this great chapter is ending. But maybe it’s not a book afterall. The more I think about it the more I think that maybe your life is just a soundtrack. Each stage is a song. Keep turning the volume up for no one wants to listen to the lyrics of your life more than me.

You are ready our girl. On September 6, 2018 you walked into your elementary school as a little girl and on June 20, 2024 you walked out as a young lady. Whether beside you or behind you we will always be there watching and we couldn’t be more proud.