An Open Letter To My Son's Preschool

I sit here full of emotion on the eve of my son's last day of preschool. I am in disbelief that it is over. How is he almost 5? How is he starting kindergarten in 3 months? How did 2 school years go by so quickly? It seems just a few months ago I dropped my baby off with you for the first time. He was just 3 and you were virtual strangers, yet I dropped him off and drove away. After pulling out I remember the shock of panic that hit me. What if he wasn't ready? What if he cried for me? What if he didn't make friends? What if you weren't nice to him? I said a little prayer as I drove up the hill and the wave passed. I arrived early to pick him up and waited outside. When you opened the door, he burst out with so much excitement. I got a big hug and he told me he had fun! That repeated itself week in and week out for 2 school years. 

Only one day in that time did he struggle with me leaving. I lingered 15 minutes with him crying saying he wanted to go home. You finally looked at me and said, "Just go. If you take him now, it will be a pattern. If he cries, I'll hold him. It's okay." I heard him screaming for me as I walked out and in the reflection of the door saw you pull him into your lap and wrap your arms around him while saying, "Mom loves you. You'll have fun and then she'll come back." 

You don't know what that meant to me! I picked him up and he had had a great day because you made it okay. For 2 years, when I wasn't there you encouraged him, you celebrated his victories, you pushed him through his defeats and you loved him when I wasn't there. You did it because that's how your hearts are. There have been some rough times over the past 2 years, and through it you have been a constant positive. I cannot express my gratitude and how much I will miss you every week.  

I leave you with this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for loving my son in a way I never expected you to and thank you for never wanting his snack time to be boring ;-) His future school has big shoes to fill!