To my stunning daughter on her very first day of her school career - kindergarten - day 1.

You woke up happy for this day. After silver dollar pancakes, bacon, ruby red grapefruit juice and swiping your fingers through the syrup, you were counting minutes to go. the air was cool but the sun was out and we took the obligatory 1st day photo in the garden. Your backpack might be bigger than you, but I love the purple and pink strips with teal piping. I bought it from Hannah Anderson because i thought it would be double cool that the front says HA which is clearly for Hannah Amelia. My stunning brave girl facing a new day.

It has been the best summer I can remember in your life. We lived so fully, visited so many we love and tried to waste very little time when the sun was out. And I learned so much more about you. We hit Disney & Jamaica with the Wilson crew, Duck with the Oster crew, Charlotte with the golden ones, Vancouver BC with Wilson-Roberts, and Malibu YL camp for family vacay - you were always up for the adventure. You are truly a better traveler than me and we have traveled this summer by bus, train, airplane and ferry, all of which you take in stride because something in you is so game for exploring. So as we sat around last evening remembering and prepping for today, we all felt full with goodness and gratitude. And I felt a calm that you were so ready for this new beginning.

I actually confess I sort of sucked today because half way through the morning my anxiety set in and i worried about the time and your outfit choice, and I am so sorry. I told you that, but oh, I am sorry for all the way my anxiety crawls all over you and dad's world too. In my heart, i just wanted it to feel perfect for you, and I guess look perfect for everyone else. Anywho, you skipped a bit as we headed for the door and kept saying, "I'm so excited, this is going to be awesome!" And i smile, reminding myself that I have seen you time and time again make yourself available to others and go for it in a room full of strangers. You long for connection with others, it is always so clearly written on your face. And when you are known, you bask in the delight of hearing your name. I am so proud that you say, "I'm not scared." and you observe a room or a field or a camp and find a face to greet.

In case we forget later, your teacher's name is Ms. So, and you are at West Woodland Elementary. We know very few people there, but your great buddy Halina. who is same age but different class. You came home from school and reported that it was a lot like preschool but even better. And then you said your favorite part was recess.

Anywho, I admire you. I feel so excited for the world to get to know you and for you to get to know more of the world. I am SO excited for you to learn more writing and reading, and I feel eager to see and hear how your mind will process all you are offered to learn. This feels so fun, so good. We talked about our hopes, that you would not only take in all you could learn, but that you would also have eyes to see in your room. That since you will be one of the oldest in your class, that you would use your gift of observation to see if some kids look scared or nervous or lonely, and that you would find a way to smile or invite them to play. And I am over the moon to think of the ways God will continue to develop your eyes and heart for Him and people. Oh, i could gush all night. I am proud and thankful, and I will miss you a lot. I am nervous and excited of what you will learn. We are headed to a new place me and you and I am ready to learn how to mother a school girl. a totally stunningly brave open hearted one.