You know that meme from Interstellar that focuses on the character Cooper (played by Matthew McConaughey) watching video messages from his children back home while stranded near a distant black hole.
I felt it last night.
Why, you ask? Well, we attended our youngest’s grade 8 grad ceremony, and while I was zoning in and out of speeches, I was also having memory flashbacks of 10 years at the school. The little things. The morning walks to drop off, waiting outside to pick up, and even just the smell of the school. It was all coming to an end as our son strutted across the stage.
Stop growing up so fast.
Another chapter has come to an end.
Yep, no more elementary school in our house. Only high schoolers in the building.
The grad was great. They did the whole thing, the walk across the stage, the certificates, and of course the speeches. A handful of kids I’ve watched since they were tiny, all dressed up, looking way older than I was ready for. You forget how much they change until you see them lined up like that. The little guys with the backpacks are gone. Young adults ready to take on new challenges.
Our son was at his school from kindergarten to grade 8. Ten years is a long time at one place, no matter what it is. Between both our boys, I’ve been back and forth to that school more times than I can count. The fairs, the concerts, the teacher nights, the morning drop-offs in the snow. All of it. And now it’s done. We have closed the elementary school chapter of our lives.
I am also happy to see our son actually acting like it is a big deal, which isn’t always what happens with a teen. We are seeing him soak it all in and being genuinely tickled at any outpouring of others being proud of him. Ending grade 8 is more than just summer and back to school. It’s a giant change that is about to happen. New school, new people, and new challenges.
Grade 9 awaits. At least on the outside, he’s pumped. On the inside, let’s see how things look come August. Regardless, I’m happy for him. As we really noticed with our oldest when he moved from Grade 8 to Grade 9, they really start to show off who they are as their future person. That’s the best part.
So what now?
Well, I’m a little tired already thinking about a house with two high school boys in it. I don’t even know why I am apologizing to my wife for this. But that is a lot of man. But she does a great job of putting up with us (the smells mostly).
But in all seriousness, watching our youngest walk across that stage with a big smile on his face, it confirmed one thing. My wife and I have successfully raised a couple of decent humans. That’s the part I actually care about. So shout out to us. We achieved our elementary school badge. Now, can we do the same for high school?
I think we can.
