I think I’ve held it together pretty well.
Now If you ask Ryli and Bliss and the other sibs they may disagree…but I think I’m doing alright. Then I run Ry and Bliss to the mall for some last minute thingamabobs and even as I walk past Baby Gap, I can remember Blissy smiling so huge in her carseat/baby carrier when she was three months old outside BabyGap. Her dimples and the little ski slope nose. It was yesterday I swear. But in reality, it was 18.5 years ago. And it went by in a blink.
I glanced at the GapKids window and my lip quivered. In the window was a sweet little eyelet dress that reminded me of the one Ryli wore on the beach for our Christmas photos. She was two. She screamed as soon as her feet touched the ground and she hated the sand. The photo op was a total fail but the best pic of that night 16 years ago came when Daly Kay was walking back up the stairs and in true princess form she lifted her little eyelet dress to keep the sand off of it but simultaneously showed the beach-goers her underwear every step up the stairs.
Precious memories.
And just like that I had to hold back my ridiculousness in front of my excited young ladies be-boppingly thrilled and brimming over with all kinds of expectations for their new adventure at school.
I am happy. I am so proud of them. I just realize that our lives, our family, will always look different from this point forward.
And that’s a good thing.
But it doesn’t make it easy.
It’s our last night together all under one roof.
And I think there may be several of us who don’t sleep a wink.
Kelly Miller Buri says
Praying for you guys through this huge change! Exciting but definitely emotional! I’m not even close to this phase but I know when we get there I’ll be crying my eyes out!
Victoria Kline says
It’s not easy, but you’ll do fine! When our oldest went off to the Air Force Academy at 17, he was not allowed to bring much with him. His ring, his car keys, etc. were all sitting in his room, which was TPeed the night before by several of his friends at a farewell party at our house. 🙂 He only took a change of clothes and his Bible. It looked like he had died, because of leaving such personal things behind. Then we left him at the airport and I cried and cried. I cried every time he came home and went back to the AFA, and it was hard, but I survived. We had five other kids still at home. One by one they went off to school or college. Then they all got married. Then the grandkids started coming. That is a great reward for letting your kids go….:):) You’ll do well, but it is true that it will never be quite the same.
Franci Jefferson says
I remember when I took my whole family to take John & Sean to college! That seems like last year, even though it was 16 years ago! You are right, your family will be changed forever, in the way you’ve brought those kids up! I cried half of the way home from Indiana 16 years ago, my 3 girls kept asking me why I was still crying! They couldn’t wait to get home and spread out into their room! Love to Ryli and Bliss!
Amanda Yannotta says
You are doing such a great job momma!! Love to you all.
Tiffany Barkley says
I totally know what you are feeling. My heart is with you. You have done an incrdible job as a mom. All you have to do is look at your children to see how much they are loved. Praying for strength for you as your beautiful girls depart , but it is only for a short while. They always come back. God bless you all!