Favorite Fridays: Firsts

You know the saying...there's a first time for everything. Whether it be good or bad, happy or sad, lovely or a full blown train wreck...it's true. Having a first is inevitable.

Today is my daughter's first day of preschool. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't be caught up in this, however, this particular school is also where she will most likely attend Kindergarten. So in essence, today might as well be Elizabeth's first day of Kindergarten.

I am totally prepared for a morning filled with butterflies, tears, and flash photography. It's okay. I'll breakdown, have a little moment, and get on with the day. After all, I still have a baby at home.

Or not.

You see, this week I've already experienced a first. My so called "baby" recently made the brave and daring decision to jump ship from her crib. After careful investigation my husband and I agreed- it was time for a bed. Within a few hours the crib was moved, disassembled, and tucked away neatly in the attic...just like that. As if it never existed.

I stood in the doorway, watching my sweet little girl cuddle into her toddler bed, and fought back the tears. This was the first night my baby slept in a bed. Feelings of loveliness and train wreck bombarded my heart, all at the same time. Watching her grow is a beautiful blessing, but it doesn't make it any easier on the heart. It almost made me want to have another baby (key word...almost).

In an effort to embrace the first day of school and the first days of my baby's toddlerhood, I've come to realize something important. If we avoid those "firsts" we can never move on. If we stay where we are and continue to do the same things every day, we will never realize our full potential. And although some firsts might be painful (think first love, followed by first heartbreak)... I'm confident these experiences will lead me to somewhere even better. I want my children to embrace change, challenge themselves, and trust that no matter how old they are (or how heartbroken), they will be just fine. There's a first time for everything.

So instead of running away or dreading these firsts, I'm taking the bull by the horns and hanging on tight. This journey we call life is quite a wild ride.