Letters to Jack: Kindergarten.

Jack,

You started kindergarten last week, and it’s both wild and normal. Wild because HOW are you old enough to be in elementary school? And normal because, like I say all the time, haven’t you just always been here with me? Of course it’s time for you to start kindergarten!

Once again, we’re starting a new chapter of life where I tell you: You are everything. Absolutely everything good in this world. You are hilarious and witty and so freaking smart. You are very quick let me know when I’m wrong, and you’re even quicker to give me a hug when I’m sad.

Sometimes, we’ll have a rough day where I just completely fail at balance. I hurt your feelings because I have to work instead of playing with you, your feelings being hurt hurts my feelings, and neither one of us has a good day. But without fail, no matter how crappy the day was, before you go to bed, you wrap your little arms around my neck and say, “I love you SO much.” The grace you are able to give at five years old could bring me to tears.

I have a fierce desire to protect you from anything and everything that may hurt you, and I also have a fierce desire to let you experience all the good, wild, exciting things to world has to offer. Those often fight each other, but we’re winging it (and I think we’re doing pretty good, if you ask me).

You are as adventurous as they come. You LOVE school. Honestly, kindergarten is probably your favorite thing that’s ever happened. You can write and spell and sing and create and it is mind-blowingly amazing. Like, this little human I made is a whole person with a whole brain that he loves using!

I’m having to finish this by typing with one hand, because we’re sitting on the couch and you want to hold hands. Something I’ll never say no to.

You are the greatest gift of my whole life. I’ll never get over you. Happy kindergarten, Bubs. You’re gonna do great.

I love you, always.