The back-to-school season is a time of new beginnings. The fresh school supplies symbolize the blank slate each child starts with - a chance to write a new chapter in their academic journey. It’s also a time of mixed emotions, where excitement meets a bit of nervousness. Each milestone brings its own unique set of feelings, whether you’re sending your student to their first day of kindergarten, their last year of high school, or off to college.
In our family, we moved our college junior into a new apartment and our twins have begun their senior year of high school. This third year of college move-in felt a bit routine at times, though I did pause and realize it seemed like only a second ago we were moving him into the dorms for the first time…and there will only be one more college move before his graduation. I needed that reminder of how special it is watching your college student flow through this experience. Senior year, on the other hand, has already been full of lots of gusto, with health forms, senior pictures, graduation dress shopping, and the list goes on! As hectic as it is with two seniors, I’ve made a commitment to myself to stop and enjoy the journey.
I have mom friends celebrating firsts and mom friends savoring lasts, and I love seeing all of their photos from the first day of school. Whether it’s a little one holding up a “First Day of Kindergarten” sign, a teen posing for their senior photo, or a parent documenting the start of an empty nest, the commemorative photo has become a cherished tradition. It’s more than just a snapshot; it’s an emotional keepsake that marks the growth and change from year to year.
I know some of my friends could use a little extra encouragement and support as school begins, so I’m turning their kids’ first-day-of-school pictures into Photo Moments to help them celebrate these memories. I’m also writing a few Token Moments to share some extra words of encouragement and remind them how amazing they’re doing. After all, the moms are the support behind the scenes who make all the magic happen and we should be celebrated for doing an incredible job!
XO,
Jennifer