So this little nugget started high school yesterday.
Untitled from Big Mama on Vimeo.
Which is so weird since it feels like that video I filmed the night before she started Kindergarten was like two years ago. So much has changed, except the fact that she still brings her lunch to school every day. She has never one time fallen for my suggestion that she might like the cafeteria food if she tried it.
And I honestly have been fine all summer about her starting high school, especially in light of seeing all the Facebook posts from so many of my friends dropping their kids off at college. Gulley texted me last night and said, “These college drop offs are killing me. I had to get in the wine.” I totally agreed with her. It’s reduced some of the toughest guys I know to posting things like “drove up to the house and realized her car wasn’t in the driveway and wouldn’t be again for a long time and broke down crying.” But I do have to say that dorm room decor has come a long way since I was a freshman in college. I thought we were so fancy because my roommate had a giant pink and green Swatch watch that she hung on our wall, but now people have fabric headboards and rugs that aren’t just a carpet remnant from a local flooring store and ambient lighting.
Anyway, all that to say, I was feeling totally fine and emotionally stable about Caroline starting high school. We woke up yesterday morning and I cooked breakfast, packed her lunch and drove her to school. Everything was fine until she hopped out of the car and I watched her walk through the front doors of the high school that we pass a million times a day and it hit me like a ton of bricks, MY BABY IS GOING TO HIGH SCHOOL.
I cried a few tears and then drove to spin class at Cycle Hub because my fall self has made promises to my summer self about diet and exercise and “being an adult”. After that I had an appointment to get my hair cut and colored because my gray hairs are relentless, but I really didn’t worry about Caroline all day long. That feels weird because high school is a big step and she’s at a new campus with boys that shave. But the truth is I knew she’d be fine. She’s ready for this next step and I guess that’s what parenthood is all about, preparing your kids for what’s next and then cheering them on as they go. Like she told a friend of mine later in the day at Target as we lamented our babies growing older and eventually moving out, “Well, I could always just stay home forever and live in the basement.”
This would be problematic. And not just because we don’t even have a basement.
I picked her up after school and she got in the car with a smile and reports of a good day. Of course I wanted a play-by-play and instead got bits and pieces of information that she shared over the course of the evening and the bottom line is that high school is off to a good start, which makes me so thankful.
It also makes me not want to think about how fast the next four years will go by. For starters, I don’t know that I’m capable of decorating a dorm room that’s worthy of a spread in Southern Living.
Oh, there was also an eclipse yesterday in case you didn’t hear.
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That video!! ???. Priceless!! I can just imagine her high school self rolling her eyes and praising the Lord she has grown up a little bit (but lunches…she had that down from the get go…MOM!!!). Priceless!!
What a precious video! Thank you for sharing. Blessings to your little nugget as she begins high school. She is a blessed child of God. 🙂
She is beautiful. Glad she had a good first day.
I love the shoes she wore! Where did you find them?
That video is pure gold! ???
I would suggest creating a dorm Pinterest board now! Just took my daughter last week to OU and still not happy with her decor. Was not prepared for the level of creativity ??.Bringing up a lot feelings along with missing her like crazy ?
All the milestones are tough for us moms. Mine are all grown and out of the house now and I survived the high school/college/airport for the honeymoon drop-offs. Shed lots of private tears at empty rooms and a quiet house but life goes on and this is the way is supposed to be! We raised them up to be independent and responsible creatures and celebrate all their accomplishments but it surely is bittersweet. You’ve done an amazing job with your girl and the closeness you two have will be life long!
We’re through the toughest transitions….and then it’s time for the granddaughter to go to kindergarten! Get out the tissues!!
That video!!! My heart!!! Her Bryan family loves her so much!!
Don’t worry…..in four years your room will still be ready for you so that you can live here to be close to her!
Oh my word, this is too precious! And would you believe that as I was pulling this post up, Nichole Nordeman’s “Slow Down” song comes on my iTunes. Um, iTunes and Kindergarten Caroline, are you trying to ruin my mascara??!! Waahhhhh…..
So happy she had a good first day. My daughter is 25 and has been out of high school for a long time. And yet, reading your post, I broke down crying for a baby that has been gone for what seems like forever. Those feelings never go away. They are always your baby and while the sadness at life’s march forward will come and go, there are all these happy moments you wouldn’t change for the world too. Wishing you all the best.
College drop off? Brutal. And I didn’t even get to be there in person since I had jury duty. It reduced my big, tough husband to near tears though. And my baby starting Junior year in high school seems like cruel and unusual punishment.
You will not believe how fast High School flies by. Everyone tried to tell me. It’s kind of like when someone tries to explain how tired you will be with a new baby. You just cannot “get it” until you’re experiencing it first hand.
Also, I could make a Pinterest board of Caroline’s outfits. She has the BEST style! The Pinterest-worthy dorm decorations? That’s probably not going to happen for us. 😉
So tender. Thank you <3 The kindergarten video is priceless <3 You have a good perspective and make me realize I need to let go of my own sorrow over our kids leaving home…especially considering the youngest just turned …. 27….LOL…you are a blessing <3
Oh the dorm décor is on a whole other level since the late 80’s! Now it is a design competition for a 15×15 space! You are going to have your work cut out for you in four years. You have raised a beautiful daughter that is for sure!
What is with these college dorms? My oldest stepdaughter is a college junior and I’m fairly certain her apartment is better decorated than my house! Of course, that could be because decorating is not my strength…I just hope she puts that much effort into her studies!
I still have the giant Swatch watch wall clock….It’s in Chloe’s room! Lol! We did think our room was pretty cool back then.
That video!! My oldest is starting kindergarten and I just know I’ll blink and I’ll be dropping him off at A&M, or at least I hope that’s where I’ll be dropping him off. 🙂 Caroline looked so cute for her first day of high school! And I was just talking to my friend about the dorm room situation. What in the world?! Between that and their football game attire, things have definitely changed!
So sweet! And I certainly have your back on dorm decor & design 🙂
http://designsbykaty.com/dorm-design/
I can remember the videos of her in a car set you posted, too, and am in denial that this baby is in high school now. Does not seem possible, but how wonderful that her first day was great!
That video is so perfection. She is darling. I just dropped my oldest child off at college last week and I dare say that I did, in fact, have to get in the wine. 🙂 And you are so right about the dorm rooms. We were done “decorating” my son’s room in about 10 minutes as he shot down every suggestion I had. In fact, I wrote a whole post about my fantasy dorm shopping with my Fake Daughter compared to shopping with Real Son. Really, all the boys say the whole time you’re in Bed, Bath and Beyond is “Where are we eating after this?” 🙂 Hope Caroline has a great school year!
yeah, dropped our oldest off at ISU last week for his 2nd year. Someone asked me if it was easier to do the 2nd time. Umm… no, not really. And the baby starts Jr high (that’s 7th here) tomorrow. I may have to “get into the wine.” :/
I dropped my oldest off at ISU last week too (and have one next year too) and also have a 7th grader! I will get into the wine with you!
Melanie, that is how I will always remember Caroline- full of spunk, happy, joyful, speaking her mind… oh how I so enjoyed her as a Kindergartner! Enjoy these years at the high school! (and sorry about packing the lunch… I still make one every day!)
That video is priceless!!!!
You should read this to calm your fears of a “Southern Living” dorm room. I giggled every time I read the roommate’s name & spelling!
https://suburbanturmoil.com/dorm-rooms-on-instagram/2017/08/17/
That video got me. My youngest started kinder this year and I am on a constant roller coaster of emotions. Also, “we are gonna get this all figgered” will be my new catchphrase.
Such a beauty! The next 4 years will go by so fast. Enjoy each moment (even fixing those daily lunches)! Several years ago I weathered the “perfect storm” of emotions when I turned 50 within the same time period of dropping my only daughter off at college. If my math is correct, be preparing yourself for that phenomenon. It’s terrible and wonderful!