A last day letter to Olivia's teacher and assistants...

Adina, Alicia, and Mary Frances,

Three years.  

It has been three years since my baby girl spent her first day in your room.  A little five year old with baby teeth and wispy hair.  

Three years later, and that little girl has grown long, her personality growing right along with her.  And big girl crooked teeth gleaming with every smile.  

Three years. 

We’ve watched together as Olivia has settled into the routine of her days, as she has found her voice, found her way.  We’ve discovered the importance of letting her ease into the day with some flashcards or a bucket of plastic bugs.  Or a familiar song. 

Along the way, we’ve celebrated new words, new skills, and we’ve seen phases come and go- and sometimes come back again.  We’ve struggled through sleepy days from sleepless nights, and wondered aloud together the mysteries of our girl.  We’ve had birthday cupcakes and a Christmas Eve nightmare. 

We’ve all grown with her.

Each morning, we’ve dropped off Olivia to spend the day with you.  For three years, you’ve made her part of your life, protecting her, nurturing her, teaching her.  Loving her. 

You’ve brushed her hair, changed her diaper, washed her hands, and carried her.

You’ve helped her paint, write her name, sing and sign, and interact.

You’ve met her where she is, you’ve challenged her to learn, and you’ve loved her every step of the way.

I told Brian that I was so anxious about leaving. About starting anew. He reminded me that I said the same thing when we left Mom’s Morning Out and again after two years in her preschool classroom.  He also reminded me that God has blessed us all along with amazing people who love our daughter, and that the next part of this journey holds just as much promise.

I know he’s right.  Yet my heart still aches.  Goodbye is too hard.

I told Olivia’s preschool teachers that they knew her by heart.  Three years later, I now say that to you.  You know my girl by heart.  Oh, what a blessing.

We praise God for the time Olivia has had with you.  For the time our family has had with you.  We treasure your friendship, and we pray that God, through Olivia, has touched your lives.

Thank you.  From the depths of our hearts, thank you.  We love you, and we miss you already.

Donna

(and Brian and Jacob)