The First Day of Daycare

(For all my other new moms/dad friends experiencing the same thing...)

The First Day. It's here.

Of course, this isn't the first of First Days. There was the first day I met you. The first day we brought you home. The first day you smiled at me--just at me--as I danced you on my knee singing Pretty Woman. There have been lots of great First Days, and all of them flash through my mind now, as I sit here watching you solemnly inspect your oatmeal. This, is the first day of Daycare.

I've left you in the care of other people before, but I knew them all, very well, and I knew they loved you almost as much as I do. (But let's not joke; no one loves you as much as I do.)  I knew they would care for you as they would their own flesh and blood. I knew you were safe--spoiled, really.

But now...now it will be different. There will be other kids, with other needs, and maybe you'll have to wait a little bit before getting some attention. This will be good for you, I know, but it still tugs at my heart. You will make friends, you will learn new tricks, you will start to grow on your own.

And I suppose that's the part that's the hardest--and the best. I know you're supposed to grow on your own; it's actually what I want, hope, dream for you in the long run. I know this is for the best.

I just wish the long run could be a little bit farther off.

Happy First Day of Daycare, my sweet girl.