College Graduation: A Letter To My Son

The tissues are next to my computer, and I’m ready to do this! But oh boy, the words just aren’t coming. I mean, where do I even begin? It feels like I haven’t had much time to prepare for this moment, when in reality, I’ve had four years, four whole years! Yet, here we are, at the culmination of a college journey well-traveled, and I am at a loss for words. I find myself entangled in a web of emotion. But mostly, I am brimming with pride. This is an incredible achievement for my son, and I intend to celebrate it the best way I know how, with words. Here is my letter to my son on his college graduation.

Dear son, on this, your college graduation…..

If there was anything I truly wanted in this life, it was to be a mother. Honestly, I think my parents duped me into thinking that being a parent was easy. They made it look so easy, so effortless. But I know now, two kids later, that it couldn’t have been as easy as my parents made it seem. Parenting is hard. Some days, it’s a breeze, and some days you don’t know what hit you! But I wouldn’t trade it for anything, any of it. And no, I don’t want a do-over. I did my best, of that I’m sure, and you kids turned out all right.

I look at photos of you often. It still blows my mind how you have changed over the years. Unfortunately, I don’t have many pictures of me carrying you in the womb. Hard to believe, I know, since we live in a time when, on any given day, we add dozens of photos to our phone’s photo library. So, I have to rely on my memory of my pregnancy, a reliable source, for sure… (not!)

I don’t remember every detail, but I do remember how it felt to carry you around for nine months. I remember it as if it were yesterday. The feeling of anticipation was intense. I couldn’t wait to see you and to hold you in my arms. I didn’t know what to expect. And when the moment finally arrived, the tears wouldn’t stop flowing (I bet you’re not surprised; yeah, yeah, I know, always the waterworks with me!). Those tears embodied a mix of euphoria, joy, gratitude, and love, all bundled together; it was one of the greatest moments of my life! And, you were so darn cute! I couldn’t wait to show you off to the world!

Academics were always your forte

It was pretty clear from the outset that you were incredibly intelligent. And when you started beating me at Bananagrams at age six, it solidified that thought in my mind. It is now my goal in life to beat you at Bananagrams, but I am failing miserably!

You have used your gift well, and you have carved a path to success that is truly impressive. I love that you have always loved school; you were always so excited to go. From Kindergarten all the way up to twelfth grade, you went in and crushed it, every single day. It was a beautiful thing to see.

You have never brought home a grade lower than an A, quite a remarkable feat in my opinion. You meticulously planned your high school classes and successfully executed your plan. And when you graduated from high school as Valedictorian, it was the icing on the cake. It was recognition for a job well done. We were, and still are, so proud.

But you weren’t just about academics alone. You found time to participate in extracurricular activities and had quite a large social circle. You still do. As an introvert myself, I have always marveled at that. It’s crazy that I gave birth to someone so different from me. Being the mom of an extrovert has definitely been a learning curve. It puts me way out of my comfort zone, often, but I would do it again and again in a heartbeat just for you. A mother’s love knows no bounds.

I loved watching you blossom from infancy all the way through your teenage years. It has been a pleasure to watch you evolve into the man you are today. Your hair, style, and demeanor changed often through the different stages of your life. And when I look at you now, it is hard to picture the little boy you once were; that little boy is long gone. Don’t worry, though; that doesn’t make me sad. I’m actually quite fond of who you’ve become, and I’m excited to see your continued evolution.

The college years

Sending you, my firstborn, off to college was a whole new, different beast. Up until that time, we had never been apart, aside from sleepover nights at your friends’ houses or camp nights with the Boy Scouts. I didn’t know what to expect, and I wasn’t quite sure that I would be able to handle you living away from home.

I think that Summer was the most difficult one for me. Everything we did, everywhere we went, I knew in the back of my mind that things would never be quite the same when you went off to college. It was a difficult pill to swallow, and I was terrified of living a life without seeing your face for days, even months on end.

When we dropped you off at your dorm that first year of college, my heart hurt so much. As we drove off, I could see you in the rearview mirror, and the pain in my heart was undeniable. I was leaving a piece of my heart behind. It was too much to bear. The tears just kept coming, and I didn’t know if I would ever feel whole again.

Having you gone definitely took some getting used to. However, as the days and then years passed, I learned how to parent from a distance. And might I just say, I have become quite good at it! The hardest thing to do was step back and give you space to grow, but it needed to be done. It’s a life lesson that you had to learn through your own personal experiences.

I must admit that, while giving you space during your first year of college, I had an ulterior motive. I had made up my mind that I wouldn’t call you often, but instead I would wait for you to call me. It was my own way of feeling you out to see if you missed your dad and me. And, my heart sang every time you did call. Sure, it wasn’t every day, but that was okay because I knew you needed time to adjust, make friends, have fun, and study. In your own way, you were telling me that you were doing just fine.

With every passing year at college, you have changed so much. You look different, of course, but your whole persona has evolved. I know I’ve said it before, but your dad and I are proud of the man you’ve become. When we look at you now, we are filled with admiration and respect. You carry yourself with such poise and confidence. And, you are well-liked by friends and colleagues alike. You held down a job while doing school and still maintained an almost perfect GPA. And you still have plenty of time for a social life. You juggle it all well, and I hope you continue to do this throughout the rest of your promising future.

Over the past four years, the frequency of calls home has increased. Now you call us every day or every other day just to say hello and tell us about what you’re up to. We appreciate this so much. It truly warms our hearts. To still be a valued part of your life is indeed a blessing. Thank you for that, it means a lot.

Congratulations on your graduation, son

So here we are, at the cusp of the rest of your life, ready to celebrate your college graduation with you. Congratulations to you, dear son, not only on graduating, but on graduating summa cum laude! You did it! I knew you would; there was no doubt in my mind. I am beside myself with pride. In a matter of days, we get to see you walk across the stage and receive your diploma. What an incredible moment it will be! Hip hip hooray!!!

Your dedication to academics and your hard work have paid off. You have secured a promising future for yourself, and we look forward to seeing you attain your goals and become a lawyer. Since you were little, you have always said you wanted to have lots of money. Here’s hoping that your dream comes true. You are one step closer to making it happen.

A few words of advice for you as you start this new chapter of your life:

Continue to work hard

As the saying goes, hard work pays off. You have consistently demonstrated the ability to set academic goals and achieve them through hard, dedicated work. It’s a good trait to have. Stay focused on the end goal and make sure that distractions don’t get in the way. Believe me, the distractions will come, if not more than ever!

There is absolutely no substitute for hard work. Do it honestly and attentively, steadfast in your ways, and you will reap the rewards you desire. And if you ever falter, know that your dad and I are here for you no matter what. Our doors are always open, and we will always make time for you, no matter what’s happening in our own lives. Granted, you may have to reach me by phone as we travel the world….. Hey, moms have dreams too!

Hold on to your values

As you go out into the world, on your way to a successful career and future, you may come across situations that challenge the core values you stand for. These values serve as a compass, guiding your life and influencing your decisions. Hold on to them tightly. Don’t trade your integrity for approval; choose honesty, even when it’s difficult, and be kind, even when it’s not reciprocated. And always stand up for what is right, even if you stand alone.

There will be times when holding on to your values feels like the harder thing to do. Don’t give in to taking the easy way out, as it will only lead to conflict within yourself and it will destroy your peace. I certainly don’t want that for you.

Embrace the unknown

It’s okay not to have every step of your life mapped out. Life has a way of throwing curveballs at you when you least expect them. Be flexible and be willing to make modifications along the way. Life is full of uncertainty, but I’ll have you know that growth often occurs in times of uncertainty.

Keep good company

Let’s face it, the people you hang out with influence who you become. Surround yourself with ambitious, hardworking people. Find people who inspire you, challenge you, and have your back when faced with adversity. And most of all, keep company with people who make you laugh! After all, laughter is the best medicine, and an excellent cure for the agonies of life.

Take care of your health

As you grow older, your health becomes a greater priority. Respect the body you have been given, treat it well, and nurture it. You’ve been doing a great job of this so far. Always make time for exercise, even when life gets super busy.

Keep learning and growing

No matter how successful you become or how far up the ladder you climb, there is always room to grow and more to learn. Keep an open mind and an open heart. Be receptive to lessons in both your work and personal life. Always strive to become a better man and a better citizen of the world.

Don’t compare yourself to others

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” -Theodore Roosevelt. Everyone’s journey through life is unique. Your journey is yours and yours alone. When you see someone doing better than you, be happy for them and use it as motivation to keep going. When you see someone faltering, be supportive and kind, offering a shoulder for them to lean on if they need one. Don’t judge, don’t criticize, and most of all, don’t be jealous of other people’s success. Be proud of what you have achieved thus far and continue to chug along at your own pace.

Enjoy life

Take the time to enjoy life. I would hate for you to reach the end of your days and have regret that you worked too hard and didn’t get to enjoy life. You have consistently demonstrated an ability to strike a good balance between work and play. However, as you get older and your responsibilities increase, finding balance will become more challenging; yet, it can still be achieved. You have already developed a love for travel; I love that about you. Make time for it, go out and see the great big world out there. You deserve it!

Unlearn old habits

Be willing to unlearn old habits that no longer have a place in your life and no longer serve you. It’s a part of growth, and it comes with knowing who you are. Take my advice and reflect on things often. As an introvert, this is my superpower. It serves me well, and I know it will do the same for you.

Call home

And wherever this life takes you, don’t forget to call home! Your dad and I are always excited to hear your voice and all the stories you have to share; I am positive that will not change. I firmly believe that family is everything, and we all need to do whatever is in our power to keep that bond strong and stay connected. Surely, you will have friends whom you will depend on, but sometimes friends fade away. We won’t. We will always be here for you. After all, we love you to the moon and back!

In conclusion

I’ve come to the end of my letter, and surprisingly, I’ve managed to hold it together. No tears yet, but I can’t promise that I won’t shed tears on graduation day. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ll need the tissues then. But the tears will be tears of joy. No sadness here. Every parent wishes success for their child, and you, my child, are well on your way. It is truly a reason to celebrate and be happy.

As I reflect on your life thus far, I am grateful for so many things. I couldn’t have asked for a better son. You continue to make me proud, not only in academics but in your life as a whole. I wish my parents were here to see you now; they would have been so proud of you. I hope they’re looking down from heaven and cheering you on.

So to you, my firstborn child, I say congratulations on your college graduation! Congratulations on a job well done! You’ve earned this moment- and so much more! Thank you for being a good student and a remarkable son. I love you bunches!

And just remember that wherever life takes you from here on out, your dad and I will always be in your corner, cheering you on and beaming with pride.

To you, my dear readers, thank you so much for reading and for all of the support you give. If you’re a parent about to watch your child graduate, I would love it if you would share your thoughts and feelings in the comment section below. And to the rest of you, comments are still welcome and will be deeply appreciated.

Much peace and love to you all!