Letter to my daughter on graduation day

Here we are! This day has been 18 years in the making! 13 years of schoolwork, long hours of studying and accomplishing dreams!

There are so many things I want to say! So many things I’m worried I didn’t teach you, I didn’t say to you and should have. I could be here for years, but didn’t I just do that? I have to trust that all the time, energy, stress and tears for the past 18 years has prepared you for your next step in life.

I’m going to be honest, I have been going through the motions for the past few months, trying hard to not even think about this day! I have tried and can’t seem to put all my emotions into words. They’re highs and lows, good and bad, happy and sad all rolled into one!

reminiscing during high school graduation — One of my favorite photos of us!

For 18+ years now you’ve been the constant in my life! We’ve cried together, laughed together, experienced life together. Every morning I woke up and you were there; every evening I went to be and you were there. Today marks the day you end an era and begin a new one. One where you won’t be the constant in my life. One where not only you, but me, have to learn a different normal.

I can still remember clear as day watching you leave for your first day of kindergarten, with tears in my eyes then! Today, I will watch you walk across that stage, again with tears in my eyes.

first day of school — First day of Kindergarten

Proud isn’t a strong enough word to describe how I feel! And maybe that’s why it’s so emotional. You are my heart walking around this world, exposed to everyone!

I know you will go on to do amazing things in life. I know you are ready for this next step because I prepared you for it. But while I was preparing you for life, I didn’t prepare myself. I didn’t think about having to send you out into the giant world, without me! I didn’t think about how hard it was to walk away from you, let you be on your own and for me to sit, without you by me every day.

senior photos — Senior photo with college shirt

You are ready, ready for college, ready to make those adult decisions, ready to be on your own. I am not! But that’s part of our job as a mom. But before you go I want to remind you of a few things:

Remember to continue to be yourself! You are amazing and the whole world needs to see that!

Be confident in who you are! Don’t let this crazy world change you.

Study! Chase your dreams, BUT have fun too! Make new friends and try new things. Life is about accomplishing your goals but it’s also about having fun!

Don’t forget about your family and friends! Call us, Facetime us and text us so we aren’t worried about you!

There’s so much more I want to say, but I know I’ve said it all before. Make sure you pull that card from your memory bank throughout the years. You may not have listened to me when I originally said it, but I know you filed it away for future use!