HIgh school... already??

Yesterday my oldest son started high school. I cant even believe how fast time goes. You always hear the sayings about how fast they grow, enjoy them while they are young, etc.. but you dont realize it until you turn around and all of the sudden your chubby cheeked, big blue eyed toddler is a *gasp* TEENAGER. I thought of my experience with high school, and what I could do to help him with the transition. He didnt have a great experience with jr high, so I wanted to let him know that although high school might seem like the high light of his life, it wasnt the END.

To my baby boy on his first day of high school…

I cannot believe today is the day, it seems like just yesterday you looked at me with those huge blue eyes on your first day of preschool and said “bye momma” without so much as a glance back. I, of course, sat in my car and cried the whole way to work. Same with kindergarten, no fear, just walked in like you owned the place. I hope you remember that confidence that you had. I want you to walk into that high school like you own the place. High school is a miraculous mash up of some of the best and worst experiences that you will ever have, but let me tell you, 20 years from now you will remember every second, and how it made you who you will be. Just remember a few things, there will always be dumb ass jocks who will want to use you for your brains, don’t let them. There will always be cute girls who will want your answers for the test, or to copy your homework... you might consider letting them, but only once. Just be kind, other people might not think you're 'cool' if you're nice to the 'uncool' kids, but believe me, looking back, you'll respect yourself so much more for being 'kind' than for being 'cool'.  Ten years later, the only people who will care about who was cool and who wasn't are the people who haven't made anything of themselves in the meantime and have nothing to cling to except the trappings of their high school popularity.  But that small kindness you extended?  Ten years later, some kid's gonna remember that.  Believe me. Try new things, push yourself, and don’t give up. In this bag are a few things to help with high school.

1. Hand-atizer – cause girls have cooties. Remember that shit.
2. Pencils – take lots of notes, trust me it will help.
3. Note pad – for the notes, and to occasionally write a girls number if needed, but remember the cooties.
4. Safety pins – Because at some point, you will need one.
5. 5 bucks – not for you. At some point there will be a kid who will need this, all or part for food, help that kid.
6. A Map – because you are related to your nonyea
7. Advil – for headaches, because teachers cause them.
8. Tums – cause test days can be stressful
9. Wipes – Cause I’m your mother, and wipes seemed like a good idea

Remember, high school is fun, but its not the end of your life, only the beginning. Don’t drink, don’t get in the car EVER with someone who has, and don’t have sex. But if you do, and you are in a spot that you don’t know how to get out of you can ALWAYS ALWAYS call me. No questions asked. Promise.

I love you Kyle Caelan, you were the first to light up my heart, and you mean the world to me whether you know it or not. Have a great first day.