My daughter will begin her first day of first grade in just a few short days. As I prepare for this, I am aware that this past year was full of so many firsts already. Her first bus ride and her first homework assignment. The first book that she read entirely by herself. The first visit from the tooth fairy (oh, how mama cried!) and the first time she swam underwater. There was the first “alone” play date without mommy tagging along, the first rollercoaster ride, and her first dance recital, where she made us all very proud.
This past year, she has officially started the journey of becoming who she is meant to be. She is becoming an independent thinker and doer.
I know that this next school year will foster this growth even more, and as much as I am excited, I am also a little weepy. Gone is the wide-eyed four-year-old that I walked to her cubby on that emotional first day, and in her place is a confident learner who already feels at home in her elementary school.
She is the girl who waits to go on a carnival ride so that one of her friends doesn’t have to ride by herself. She is the girl who is comfortable enough in her own skin, recognizes that saying “no” is okay, and doesn’t always feel the need to do what everyone else is doing. (Please remember this in high school!).
She is the girl who invites everyone to her party, not because it is the expected thing to do, but because she doesn’t want to leave anyone out. I love this girl, and I hope she does, too!
I do not know what next year will bring, but I hope the firsts are just as uplifting as this past year. I know there will eventually be some firsts that hurt, and as much as I dread them, they will make her stronger.
When my daughter was first born, I felt like we documented everything. I wrote monthly letters to her in a journal, touching on special moments I didn’t want to forget.
Sadly, the older she gets, the less often I write. I don’t want to forget these huge moments; more importantly, I want her to realize how proud we are of her. In some ways, these firsts are far superior to the firsts we “oohed” and “ahhed” over that first year.
I often underestimate how meaningful an “I love you” or “I am proud of you” can be to my children. Perhaps we all can be reminded that those words are more precious than a new toy, a fun day out, or the other ways we show our children we love them. Along with the new backpack, school supplies, and “first day of first grade” sign, making sure she knows she is loved will be on top of the list!
