So Justin graduated from preschool this week. (Before we left for the ceremony I found myself uttering a phrase I never thought I’d say: “Make sure you go potty before you go to graduation.”) The ceremony itself touched me more than I thought it would — seeing my little boy walking down the aisle in his cap was pretty poignant. (I might’ve been tempted to cry if I wasn’t so busy keeping Brayden from fleeing the yard/turning off the music/getting into the sandbox.) After all the anxiety issues he’s had this year, it was amazing to see him standing there with his class, smiling nervously. I knelt down beside him to get our picture taken and he reached out and put his arm around my shoulders. I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud.

The kids all got diplomas and a little card from their teacher, who quoted Dr. Seuss:

You have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself any direction you choose
You’re on your own, and you know what you know
And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go

Congratulations, buddy. Hats off to you!