That night, we hunkered down and began to prepare for school the next day.  It brought back so many memories.  That nervous energy for the first day of school, check!  We (and by we, I mean mommy) had it in bunches.

As morning arrived, the little guy went about his business getting ready…no different from his normal day. There were tons of pictures. Breakfast. One last paw patrol.  And then it was time for the bus. As we stood there with the other kids and their families..you could feel the apprehension build. Mommies gave encouragement.  Several kids told him how much fun school is…but still there was the look.  As the bus pulled up, I dropped to my knees for one final kiss. And he quietly said, “I’m scared”….(your scared…mommy is on the verge of a break down!).  But I pulled myself together and confidently said we were all scared when we went to school but we went and had lots of fun. Be brave.  And with that, he boarded the bus. Sat in the first seat. And waved goodbye, big smile on his face.

We’ve never been so proud.

I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to go into the world and experience it. I now know how hard that must have been on them..but I am eternally thankful.  As I waited for the bus to arrive home, several mommies told me the hard part is over (whew).    With the bus door opening, he charged off the bus and into my arms and screamed “mommy, I was brave”. And I thought, more than you know.

If you love somebody…set them free.  Because if they truly love you, they always find a way home.