Here We Are...Many (Ahem) Years Later

So today I'm having lunch with a friend.

She didn't start as my friend necessarily.  I was her Nanny and she was in 3rd grade.

Last weekend she graduated from college, Villanova in fact, with a degree in engineering.

I'm so proud of her and all that she has accomplished and I'm so thankful to Facebook for helping us reconnect several years ago.

We meet up a couple times of year to catch up on all the happenings in our lives.

As she prepares to start her new job and move to the East coast to start her new life, I'm really impressed by who she has become.

My job as her Nanny was awesome.  I did it for two summers in college.  We played and spent a lot of time at the pool and Six Flags.  She's an only child with two great and very successful parents.

Time is funny sometimes.

I don't feel like I was her Nanny that long ago.  I don't feel like it was that long ago that we spent each and every day at the pool driving around in my awesome purple Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Here we are xx years ago.

And here we are today.  I'm married, a mom, getting ready to celebrate another birthday and here she is just freshly graduated with her whole life ahead of her.

She's another gift in my life and I'm thankful to have her.

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Dear Megs,

I'm so proud of you and the woman you have become.  As you begin your new chapter of life, embrace who you are and all that you have accomplished.  You are a strong, beautiful woman and you have a full, happy life ahead of you.

I can't believe I'm writing woman when talking about you because I feel like it wasn't but yesterday that we were spending another day at the pool and you were still in elementary school.

I remember the days of ice skating, the days of Chip and Bounder and who could forget good ole' Josie.

I remember how cool it was that Victoria Babu was your neighbor and we'd pool it together often.

As a Mother now, I dream and think often about who and what my child will become.  It is my hope that Mia (and any future children) turn out to be as level-headed, smart, successful, well-traveled and as independent as you.

Just a little piece of advice as you start your next journey, time will move faster every year from here on out, so take your time with it and don't rush through it.  It doesn't need any help, it will move just fast enough on it's very own.  People always told me this and I never really believed them, but I know now that it is so very, very true.

As you focus on your future and where and what you will be, be sure to embrace the present moment just as much.

The Lou will miss you, but just remember you're a Cardinals fan first.  Ryan will not be able to convert you to any team that involves socks, because I said so.

Keep in touch and good luck to you and all that you dream and wish for your future.  You'll continue to be great!  Your parents should be very, very proud!!!

Love,

Melly