Dear Kindergarten Teacher (My Last Letter)

Dear Kindergarten Teacher,

Hello. It’s me again. How’s my favorite superhero? I love that summer rewards you with the simplest lesson plan… R-E-C-E-S-S written across several weeks worth of calendar squares. Carefree. Playful. I can hear the exhale. You get to trade ABC’s for Vitamin D, sight words for sightseeing, and circle time for YOU time. It is the perfect perk of your paramount profession. I really hope the livin’ has been easy this summertime. 

As a new school year approaches, I am sending this letter with a medley of emotions. It is the last letter you will receive from me because SHE is the last kiddo you will receive from us. Yes, the day has arrived and blinking is all it took. Our final sweet pea is departing the pod and heading your way. 

Take another little piece of my heart.

I know you know this, but kindergarten is an undeniably giant milestone for parents – whether it’s our first, second, third, tenth, or only baby. The role of primary teacher has been ours since their first cry. The names on your roster? We gave them those. They have been our sun, moon, and stars for half a decade… so we are essentially handing you our world. 

Godspeed, John Glenn. 

We believe in you. 

As for my narrative, I have journeyed these hallowed kindergarten hallways twice before.

So has she. 

Maybe you remember seeing her.

She was the baby in the stroller as we dropped off big sister. (She smiled at you.) She was the toddler at the pickup gate as we waited for big brother. (She waved at you.) Now she is the big kid outside your classroom door ready for her turn. (She will hug you.)

The beginning of an adventure and the end of an era are simultaneously in sight. 

My last little sidekick will soon be reading books in the library, frolicking around the playground, singing silly songs, coloring bright pictures, meeting buddies for lunch, engaging in exciting games, and asking a million big questions — the same things that gave life to my precious days with her. Things she will now do with you. 

There is no prize in your treasure box more valuable than that.

Yes, she has been my favorite past-time for the past five years, and now it is time to pass her to you.

I am going to miss my girl. 

She is the embodiment of “third time’s a charm.” She is joyful. She is helpful. She is free-spirited and go-with-the-flow. She carries herself with confidence, and she carries the best conversations. She is partial to hippos and chocolate and the color blue. She is quite the fashionista, and she has some serious rhythm. She is a breath of fresh air. 

I could continue on and on and on, but you will get acquainted soon enough.

I am really excited for you. 

And for her. 

And even for me. 

While I am sad to see this sweet season of motherhood come to an end, I am also stoked to reclaim an independence I haven’t had in a very long time. (And by independence I obviously mean volunteering in your classroom as much as humanly possible.)

So before that first school bell rings, let me go ahead thank you for dedicating your time, your heart, and your livelihood to my children and to EVERY child who lands in your orbit. You are essentially changing the world… one sun, moon, and star at a time. 

Godspeed, Kindergarten Teacher. 

We love you. 

Respectfully,

Kindergarten Mommy