A Letter To Our Daughter.
I’ve been saving this post for a very long time, amazing girl. You’re off on your new adventure today, and we’re praying it’s never been lost on you how proud we are. Years ago I wrote you this letter before your first day of big girl school (you even posed for me ;))- it was the first article that someone published of mine since college, and it still holds up. Take that beautiful heart and mind of yours and earn all the wonderful experiences that are headed your way. And come home soon.
Hey, sweet girl.
Your mom and I have thought about this day for a long time. And been excited. And worried.
The thing is, we can barely remember us without you anymore. We know we were happy before you came to be with us, but the crushing love and pride we have for you makes it hard to remember a picture without your magical eyes, and infectious smile.
Today we realized that you have been moving away from us for a long time. You’ve been collecting pieces of us to pack in your pink backpack… and as you take the steps of your life, the story of us will, in part, be written by you.
You’ve learned so much already, big girl. What’s right, and mean, and what’s sweet, and fair. We need you to remember those things now. There will be a lot to think about, we know. Teachers, and friends, manners, and strangers. And we know you can do it.
As much as we want to hold you here forever, we know you have places to go. Daddy had a great plan to keep you here until you were 30, but I’m learning that my happiness won’t always be your happiness. A doctor, a teacher, or a princess still need to learn everything they can. So listen close, and always be smart.
And today if you see Mommy crying, or if you see Daddy trying to be strong, just give us your best smile to light up our hearts. We’re a little sad, but we’re mostly proud. Of you. And us.
We’ll be here when you need.
And please. Come home soon.
How sweet. I love that photo! It never get's easier either. Happy WW :O)
ahhh man… that is SOOO sweet! Cant even imagine. I'm gonna be a sobbing mess. My little guy is only 2 1/2
Oh, I love this post. And I did get teary eyed. Congrats!
Breakin' my heart again *sniffle*
Congrats on your article. What a lovely, touching letter marking such an important event. Lil' D will start kindergarten next year. I'm not prepared for a full day, five days a week yet. Happy WW and take care.
-Kiki
LOVE that photo!!!!!!
Oh Jay! This is the sweetest post! Made me a teary, sobby mess!
Happy WW!
What a fabulous letter to your daughter Jay! I have all sons and it does not get easier.
Great Note. It is tough and never gets easier.
Happy WW!
That is such a beautiful post and photo. Having it written down is a gift for your daughter which she will hold close to her heart forever.
*sniff*
oh my…how sweet! what a lucky girl to have you as daddy. i love her picture walking away…so cute! i just sent one to high school and one to kindergarten this year…still 2 to go.
anyway, have a great glory day for being published again! you totally deserve it! you rock my stinking face off!
so sweet! I love that picture! My youngest is starting kindergarten next week and I'm trying to figure out what I will spend my time doing. Seems I've lost myself over the last 10 years. Mmmmm, who would have thought that.
I have been sending my kids off to the first day of school for 8 years…and when I do I still get a lump in my throat.
Aaaawwww….that was so sweet!! I am going to be bawling my head off come Monday when I have a 5th grader and a 1st grader. Then I will do it all over again on Sept. 8th when my baby starts preschool.
This is the sweetest post ever.
Makes me wonder what is wrong with me though since I do the happy dance when my kids go off to school. Kidding. 🙂
You have captured the essence of what I will be feeling in a couple weeks when my oldest goes off to study abroad and my youngest starts school!
Gorgeous! Hope her school year is off to a great start!
Blessings!
I've been on both sides, 3 kids and kindergarten teacher!
Okay, this is NOT good for a preggo, hormonal mom who just sent her baby off to K.
I'm sure she'll do great. Love that photo.
what a beautiful post.
Congrats on being published on actual paper – how friggin' EXCITING is THAT!?!? The picture is just priceless and oh-so-precious, and this was definitely a tear jerker. Wonderful, and she will always have that to treasure.
Congrats on the print action!!
Good choice – and photo.
Amazing! The picture is such a perfect expression of your words.
This is such a sweet post, and I love the picture!
Oh boy did this make me cry!! What an awesome letter AND picture too!
~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com
I shed a solitary tear. My oldest goes off to school (granted pre-school), but I think we will be 2 parts sad, 1 part relieved to get some alone time.
Where's her helmet??? I don't see a helmet anywhere in that photo….it must be in her backpack, right???
😉
Why must you throw a sappy, adorable post in the mix every now and then??? You're such a softie…
I dread that day. Oh you put a lump in my throat. Precious moment-in-time photo – hope she is enjoying schoool 🙂
How sweet. I love that photo! It never get's easier either.
Work From Home
Jay, that's absolutely awesome!
I love it!!
Congrats ~ from one Texas parent, to another!