Dear Mom,

First, let’s take a moment for you. Seriously, take a deep breath, maybe even pour yourself a glass of wine (or coffee, depending on the time of day). You’ve made it. Your baby, your once little child who could barely sit still for a picture, is about to graduate high school. Cue the tears, the pride, and probably a little bit of panic.

I know, I know. You’ve been counting down the days to this milestone. But I also know this moment feels like it’s going to pass by faster than the 12 years it took to get here. One minute, you're handing your teen their first backpack, and the next, you’re trying to figure out how to send them off into the world while holding it together. (Spoiler alert: You’re not alone. None of us are.)

The Chaos That Was High School

Let’s be real for a second. High school wasn’t just a journey for your graduate; it was a journey for you too. You survived the parent-teacher conferences, the late-night homework panic attacks, and yes, the ever-dramatic teenage years. And let’s not forget the dreaded “what do I wear?” meltdowns—only for them to leave the house looking like a Pinterest board on the first day, and 10 minutes later, they’re back to their ‘I don’t care’ phase. But hey, that’s part of the ride, right?

You’ve had your fair share of moments that ranged from hilarious (remember that time they didn’t know how to do their own laundry?) to downright stressful (SAT prep and prom dress shopping—need I say more?). But through it all, you stood as the constant, the one who held things together even when they pretended they didn’t need you.

The Emotional Roller Coaster

Now, we’re at the end of the ride. Your high school senior is about to cross that stage, and let’s be honest, while your heart is swelling with pride, there’s a small part of you that wants to cling to the “baby” version of them just a little bit longer. They’ve changed so much in the blink of an eye, and though you’re proud of the young adult they’ve become, there’s a quiet little ache in your heart that you can’t quite shake.

You might be feeling like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster right now. One second you’re celebrating with your graduate, and the next you’re sobbing because you realized you’ve been “that mom” at every school event—yep, the one who’s crying over everything.

And here’s the thing: it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, nostalgic, and maybe even a little bit lost. The next phase of their life is about to begin, and it's okay if you need a second to realize that it’s not just their world that’s changing—yours is too.

A New Chapter Begins

But here’s the silver lining (I promise, it’s there!): as much as you may miss the old times, this next chapter is full of excitement. Your child is about to spread their wings, chase new dreams, and create their own path. And while that brings a little bittersweet sorrow, it also brings a whole lot of pride.

This is the moment when all your hard work as a parent is about to pay off—when your teenager who may have rolled their eyes at your “life advice” is now ready to take on the world. You did that. You helped shape them into the young adult standing in front of you today.

Let’s Celebrate YOU, Too

Before we wrap up, let me remind you of something: you deserve a standing ovation. While your graduate is off to their next big adventure, don’t forget to celebrate yourself. You’ve been the cheerleader, the counselor, the chauffeur, and the chef through all of this. Your patience, love, and support have gotten them to this point, and that’s something to be proud of.

So go ahead, shed those happy tears. Celebrate all that they’ve achieved, and all that you’ve done to help them get there. And when you start feeling like it’s time to pass the torch, know that it’s okay to have moments of pride, tears, and joy all at once.

You’ve earned it.

P.S. Let’s Freeze This Moment in Time

And before your graduate takes off to their next adventure, let’s capture this fleeting moment with a session that’ll forever remind you of this huge milestone. Because let’s face it: between the last-minute school projects and trying to coordinate your family’s schedule, you’ve probably had little time to actually take the family photo you’ve always dreamed of.

Book your session with me today and let’s freeze these memories in time—before they graduate again. Because who knows what next year will bring? (You definitely don’t want to miss capturing that, too!)

With all my love,
Megan