The First Day

Brandon is almost 6 years old and in that time, he's had many firsts. I remember first solid foods, first words, first steps and even the first time he slept through the night. There was something about this first though - the first day of Kindergarten - that in my mind seemed to linger far off in the distant future. I thought I had time to contemplate school, to prepare my thoughts, to be ready. I watched him grow and I watched him mature and still I thought I had time. I went through the motions of registering him for school. I even put myself through hell trying to find him suitable out-of-school care and still I thought I had time.
And then today came.
Brandon was up early, about 6:30am, as he was excited to start Kindergarten. He picked his own outfit, got dressed and ate a small breakfast. We walked out the front door and I took a few photos of him. He held my hand as we walked to school. When we got there, we waited outside the doors we were directed to stand by. Children and their parents started to gather and we looked for familiar faces in the crowd. We saw a few and chatted for a bit. Three teachers came out and began calling names. Brandon lined up and went inside with a group of kids as I stood where I was and waved goodbye.
In that moment I was so proud of him. My little boy doing big boy things. He was so confident, so sure of himself. But at the same time I felt sad. As I watched him go I found myself missing my baby. He used to fit so perfectly in my arms. We used to spend hours together, just me and him. I delighted in all that he did and I was the whole world to him.
As I stood outside the school doors I realized a part of our story had ended. Brandon's babyhood was over and now we were starting something new. Today was the first day of Brandon's boyhood.