Isabella,
Today you turn eighteen. And tomorrow you start your senior year. I truly cannot wrap my head around it. I feel like it was yesterday that we were in Two and You making pretzels and painting with Ms. Sally. And then I blinked, and we were at Take a Peek at your Seat in Mrs. Benson’s kindergarten classroom.
And then five minutes later you were starting fifth grade at Bryn Mawr. And then I turned around and you were starting ninth grade. And now Senior Year is on the horizon. I have lived a senior year as a parent, and it is the most bittersweet year of last firsts. There is no stopping time, so I will try to memorize every second and of course take a million pictures. I will encourage (pester) you to enjoy all the moments both small and monumental and to live in every one. I will cheer for you as you play your last field hockey season, complete your final coursework of high school, and choose your next home (away from home). You may be an adult now, but there will never be a day that you will be too old to be my best girl.
When I think back on this last year, so many of my favorite moments have been with you. From dancing at our first frat party last fall, to our Spring Break college tour (with a side of beach) trip, to our early mornings workouts and coffees at the beach.. I loved all of these times together. There is no one in this whole world I would rather be stuck in an airport with or sweat next to in a Sculpt class.
There is a funny TikTok trend that always makes me laugh and think of us.
In the video one person (me) asks, "Is it me, or are we best friends?”
Another (you) responds, "Yeah, I mean, I'm definitely your best friend.”
SO maybe it is me, but how lucky am I? You are my daughter and my best friend. I really don’t want to even think about this time next year. I truly don’t know what I am going to do without you, alone in this house, with dad and Zach 🤪. Your witty one-liners always make me laugh. I am in awe of your intelligence and drive. I am proud of your unwavering integrity. And although sometimes we disagree, you know I am here for you no matter the time of day or night. You have more more year until you fly, but I can already see that you are so ready. Maybe this next year is for me, to give me more time until I have to let you go your own way. But no matter where the next years take you, home is always here.
Always remember "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." -St Catherine
Mom
