I love you, kindergarten.

We've been on summer vacation for two weeks now.

I have been meaning to write this post for two weeks and 1 day.

Better late than never.

And better now than further into my summer vacation when my brain turns to mush.

Dear Kindergarten,

The night before we became joined at the hip, my Facebook status read:

"I remember picking out your very first outfit; it was so tiny and I couldn't wait for you to arrive so I could dress you. I remember picking out your birthday outfits every year and thinking, "Wow. My baby girl is another year older ALREADY!". I remember picking out your Pre-K graduation outfit and how we giggled that we matched. I just picked your outfit for your first day of kindergarten, and all I can do is cry."

You and I, Kindergarten, were not friends.

You were the evil thing that was forcing my baby to grow up and spend hours away from me.

Away from my cuddling time.

Away from my routine.

Away from my norm.

The norm that I fell in love with over the previous five years.

The first day of school I spent at home weeping and creating a banner for The Girl to see when she came home.

It read, "Welcome home Kindergartner!" and was proudly displayed across our entryway.

I baked her cupcakes.

Hubby asked me, "Are you going to spend every day of kindergarten making her treats and missing her?"

I responded, "Yes."

Instead of giving me grief, he gave me a hug and told me that he was proud of her and that she's having a blast making new friends.

I was skeptical.

On Day 3, a friend of mine called me and told me that they had closed the "late birds" kindergarten and that she had no idea if The Girl was still in the same class since they had moved everyone. She advised me to call the school and see where The Girl was.

I was livid.

Moving my daughter without telling me?!

Psshhh.

Taking away her new best friends?!

Grrrrr.

The principal called me back right away and was so kind.

Sweet.

Level-headed and completely understanding.

She explained that The Girl was still in the same class with her teachers that split the full-time shift, and that her class had gone from 26 students down to 20.

There were now 12 kindergartners and 8 first-graders.

A combo that made me beam with happiness.

I spoke to her teacher Mrs. Jameson after school that day, and she blew me away with her grace.

She clearly understood my concern, had a frazzled day, and said only positive things to put me at ease.

I later spoke to the other teacher Mrs. Grindle about the last-minute classroom switch, and she was just as lovely to speak to.

Over the course of the year, these women inspired me.

The Girl has only said nice things about them.

And the two times that she wasn't on her best behavior at school, The Girl told me that she was sad to have disappointed her teachers.

I remember thinking my teachers were mean when I got scolded at school.

To hear the opposite was an eye-opener.

My daughter will remember these women forever.

The day they met- Kindergarten Meet & Greet

The movie day she & her friend Lacie won in a raffle. They saw Furry Vengeance and ate at McDonald's.

The last awards assembly.

Kindergarten, I love you.

You brought me so much happiness and strength.

I cried when we met...

But cried harder when we said goodbye.

I took a picture of The Girl every morning before she spent her day with you.

And I am so thankful that I did, because children really do grow up quickly.

Happy Thursday.