Adventure awaits!

That's what I told my son this morning when I took him to school for his first day of Kindergarten.  He was so excited.  There was a sparkle in his eyes like nothing I think I've ever seen before.  Kind of made me feel like a putz for wanting to hold on to him as tightly as I possibly could and just sob.  I didn't, of course.  I gave him a hug, a kiss on the cheek, (took some pictures) and told him to have an amazing day.  Then I came home.  Now, I cry.  My little man is growing up.  There is a part of me that wants him to just stop growing and stay just where he is.  Then, there's this other part of me that envies him and the adventure he's beginning.  I think back to when I started school, and believe it or not, I actually kind of miss it.  All the firsts he's about to have: his first classes, his first parties, his first sleep-overs (although he has already done a couple of those things, this is like  a whole different world), his first taste of that rectangular school pizza, and of course, his first crush.  I was looking at the little girls that are in his class, trying to figure out which one it might be.  Honestly, they were all so adorable, I have no idea who the lucky girl might end up being: the little blonde, the brunette, the little black girl, the little Indian girl..... it could literally be any of them.  I still remember my first crush.  Oh! The feelings!  Crazy!  I was 4 when I met him.  And he was wonderful!  I even kept in touch with him up until just a few years ago.  I'd really like to find him again.  But my son... he's meeting new people today, some of them probably won't be in his life for very long at all, others may be friendships that will last the rest of his life.  He told me last night before he went to bed, "Mom, there's a whole great big world out there!"  I said, "Yes, Baby, there is.  You go and explore!"  I wonder what his dreams were like.  He was sure talking a lot in his sleep!  But this is a good thing.  I had my time.  Now..... now is his time.  His life is truly beginning a brand new chapter.  And I can't wait to see what happens next!