That day came...

Today I’m having a really hard time believing that this is it. The last day of high school. Of asking permission. Of seeing you every night at the dinner table (which isn’t even true because you called this afternoon to tell me you were having dinner with your grandpa tonight—oh well). Of hearing your alarm go off down the hall at 6:00am. Tomorrow you will graduate and start making all of your own choices. You’ll come back on Sunday for your graduation party. After that I hope you come back often (FYI- Family Dinners are planned with G every 3rd Sunday of the month, so now you are formally invited too).  Maybe when college starts you’ll come back to stay with us because it’s closer. Maybe you’ll decide you’d rather be closer to work and stay with your mom. Who knows what will happen. There’s no plan. No working it out with your mom and marking our weekends with you on the calendar. I like plans so this is gonna be tough for me, however I’m sure you will be happy to be rid of my nagging for a plan.

No really, you better come home often. Harlie will miss you terribly…and I can’t even talk about Killian…heaven help us all! But man, I will miss you. I’ll miss your random facts at dinner….the way you try to hide a smile when Harlie is acting up and you think it’s funny….your enthusiasm for fast cars….and your wacky sense of humor and the silly jokes that you have carried on with your dad for years and years that still make me laugh.

Meeting you catapulted me into adulthood. I was no longer living just for myself, but for this adorable chubby cheeked kid and his Dad. You taught me about sacrifice. And if I’m being honest it started with the first night I met you, when you tested me without even knowing it. How many times I pushed that little Thomas train around the track, I will never know and couldn’t possibly have kept count. But in that moment it was about keeping that sweet smile on your face and not about my aching joints. Before long, I had become a “parent”--and part of your family, even before your Dad and I married.  I was lucky enough to be one of your someone’s who you could trust and depend on, that was always looking out for your best interest. I hope you know how much I have valued that role in life. One of the most important things I’ve ever done is help raise you.

I hope you know this and that you are so loved. You have so much potential to lead an amazing life. Do not ever underestimate your capabilities and the support of those that love you. We are here for you always.