Party Of 3

• Dear Addie, 

  
  

  I knew it was coming… I just thought it was going to take a little more time. Like somehow the days would stretch a little longer, the calendar might slow its roll, and time would agree to stand still for just a minute. Apparently, time had other plans. Wishful thinking, I know.

  
  

  You headed back to school this past week and, honestly, you could not have been happier about it. The second we pulled into the parking lot, that giant smile came out. You were READY. After a whole month away, and your illness relatively under control, you were thrilled to get back to your routine, see your favorite people, and jump right back into your happy little world. Such a beautiful thing for this mama to witness. 

  
  

  But as excited as you were to go back, your first day back also quietly marked the beginning of something bittersweet for the rest of us. Our last weekend before entering our new chapter of our version of empty nesting. Party of 3 from here on out...You, me, and Daddy. Just three Musketeers doing life together while big sister heads back to start her junior year and Gabe heads off to begin his freshman year of college.

  
  

  With this big change suddenly upon us, we decided the best way to prepare for this emotional transition was to spend our last weekend together laughing, eating, adventuring out to see the ever popular trolls exhibit in our area, and basically trying to melt alive in the ridiculous heat. Heavy amount of sarcasm there.

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  *To be fair, your expression in our family photo was probably the most accurate as to how hot in was.

  
  

  We danced to Britney (if you know, you know) and laughed until our cheeks hurt. We ate at one of our favorite local spots. We adventured in the hot sun…oh my WORD, was it hot and we just soaked up being together. Nothing fancy. Nothing particularly profound. Just us. And maybe that’s what made it so special. Because these are the moments I know I’ll miss the most. The ordinary weekends that don’t feel extraordinary while you’re living them…until you realize they were actually little pieces of your favorite life.

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  I’m so excited for what’s ahead for all of you. I’m so proud of the people you are all becoming. And I know this next chapter is going to be full of new adventures, new memories, and probably a few more gray hairs for Mama. 😂 But if I’m being completely honest…my heart is having a little trouble keeping up with the calendar.

  Because somehow, our babies grew up.

  
  

  So here we go.

  
  

  A new season. A new rhythm. A new version of “us.” Party of 3.

  
  

  And while I’m going to miss having the whole dream team under one roof more than I can probably put into words, I’m going to soak up every minute of this little trio we’ve got left in this season.

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  Because time may refuse to stand still…but I’m going to do my best to savor it anyway. ❤️

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• Love,

• Mom