Tomorrow, Tomorrow.....

By this time tomorrow, graduation will  be complete.  He'll have stood tall and proud, taken lots of pictures, walked across the stage and received his diploma...an honors diploma, at that.  It has all of the makings of an action packed day and an evening that flies by in an instant.  Having said that, there are a few things I'd like to say that I may forget or lack the time to do tomorrow.  So just in case....

Dear  Hunter,

Congratulations!  Graduating takes hard work.  Graduating with Honors takes hard work, dedication and perseverance.  All three of those traits will get you far in life, hang on to them.  But on a side note, it's still hard for me to believe that the little boy that used to give his phone number out as "10 10 321" just completed Physics!

Please don't mistake my tears of joy for tears of sadness.  I cried when you said your first word.  I cried when you took your first step.  I'll cry when I leave you in Columbus as you take your next step.  That's just what mothers do. It's equivalent to a manly chest bump.

The first night I brought you home from the hospital, I sat in your room watching you sleep (I did that a lot!).  I was young, you were tiny and I realized I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.  I felt the same way when you started preschool, kindergarten, junior high and high school.  But just like you, I figured it out along the way.  With each new experience, we both gained so much.  Thank you for letting me grow up with you.  You'll never know how many things you've taught me.

This year has been preparing us for today.  A year of learning to let go, preparing you to start a new chapter in your life.  It's difficult to imagine you moving away from home, but it's just as exciting to watch you start the next phase of your life.  It will be another great experience for all of us.  Just know that I'll be here for you always, cheering you on.

I love you to the moon and back!

The Proudest Mom at Little Miami