"Let Me Explain. No, There Is Too Much...Let Me Sum Up."

A lot can happen in five years.

Five years! 

We've experienced surgery, a big move, a new school, painful waiting, and new jobs. We've had sweet family moments, challenging family moments, and hilarious family moments. We are anticipating one of the biggest changes for our family of five that we've ever been through: Michaela is graduating from high school.

I have tears ready to pour even as I type this. How did we get here so fast? Where did the years go? What am I going to do without my girl?

Of course, in my head I (sort of) know the answers to these questions. Sometimes the time actually went by painfully slowly. The years passed as they were supposed to, full of books, songs, soccer games, birthday cakes, bedtimes, and friends and family. Even without Michaela around, I'm going to get up each day, be present with our other kids, do my job, and keep up with the laundry. 

LOL Just kidding about the laundry. Don't you know me? I haven't changed much in that regard, even in the span of five years. 

I have been telling her for months, "I miss you already." She graciously smiles, lets me get teary without rolling her eyes, and even tells me she loves me. Not having her around is going to be heartwrenching. 

I imagine I'll shed a lot of tears over the next 12 months, but I hope that I'll share a lot of wonderful memories and joyful moments with her too as she heads out on this exciting journey on her own. 

This is what we've been headed towards for 18 years now, walking together so that eventually she is able to walk on her own. She started walking independently when she was 8 months old... And honestly, she hasn't really looked back. I hope, though, that any time she might glance over her shoulder, it's with full confidence that while she's (almost) on her own, she's never alone.