Independence: Becoming a Grownup

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I have known Hayley since the day she was born. Her mother and I have been friends since I was 17 years old.

My boys adore her- she has grown up with my kids. It seems like it was just the other day that we were all picking out pumpkins together at the pumpkin patch.

I remember her 9th birthday when I made her cupcakes and decorated them with leis to match her Hawaiian themed party.

I remember when my twins were two years old and they colored all over her bedroom walls and carpet with permanent black marker.

She is now an adult… this is so very bittersweet.

Even as she has reached adulthood she treats my little kids like they are gold. She is so patient with them and so loving- never missing a birthday party or an event for them.

becoming a grownup

She started driving a little over a year ago.

I think I reminded her of safe driving tips just about every time I saw her those first few months.

She got a job last year.

When we pass the place she works Matthew (5) so sweetly says, “Hey, there is Hayley’s workshop.”.

Recently she started dating.

I kind of flipped out a little.

I grilled him… my opinion is still undecided.

Then she graduated from high school a few weeks back.

I kind of cried a little. Sitting in the coliseum was so surreal.

It’s these moments that remind me that life keeps going. We all keep getting older. There is no stopping it.

life is a special occasion

She leaves for collage next month.

She is not going far, but she will be living on campus. In a dorm. With a stranger.

It is really hard to embrace the fact that she is becoming independent and a grownup.

And she is not even my child!

We are excited to stay in touch and we will soon have her address once she is assigned a dorm.

My friend Kim has decided she is sending monthly care packages to Hayley.

I am totally on board! Words of encouragement and reaching out just because can go such a long way.

hallmark cards allow you to send your love

 

Is someone special in your life becoming a grownup?

Independence is hard. Letting go. Letting them be.

I think I’ve decided my kids should just live at home forever….  not sure they will go for that.

Maybe Hayley will have some pointers for me once my boys reach the grownup age.

Someone hold me!

life is a special occasion hallmark

Is there someone in your life who is becoming an adult? Embracing independence? Moving away for college? Just remember that we can send them our love, our encouragement and sweet thoughts to let them know we are thinking of them. I love these cards from Hallmark. The next time you’re on the hunt for a special card, check out Hallmark! Feel free to read my disclosure. For more information about Hallmark and their products, visit www.hallmark.com. You can also follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HALLMARK and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hallmark. I am!)

2 Comments

  1. Kim Idell says:

    I may have cried a little while reading this! It is so hard to see her grow up. I am not ready.

    1. Oh Kim, I am so not ready for this. And Sean is next…. how will we get through this?

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