Last night marked a significant milestone for me as a parent: Senior Night.
It’s interesting how certain events don’t fully register until you’re actually experiencing them. Suddenly, there I was, standing on the soccer field, beside my son, as his name was announced—a senior.
At that moment, a wave of realization washed over me. All those years of school assignments and soccer matches are now mere reflections in the rearview mirror. The familiar was behind us, and the unknown stretched ahead.
I felt a mix of emotions, wanting to absorb every detail while ensuring that my pride and love for him were palpable. What struck me most was the realization that Senior Night was, above all, about him. It was his moment, his achievement, his transition.
This experience held extra significance for me because I hadn’t always been able to participate in all the typical fatherly and parental events throughout my son’s life. Perhaps that’s why I find myself expressing these sentiments with such depth; my words are attempting to encapsulate the depth of my feelings.
I am profoundly proud and profoundly grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of his night. As I stood there on that field, exchanging light-hearted jokes with him before his name was called, I realized that this moment, although centered around him, meant the world to me. It was a moment of connection, of shared pride, and of deep, immeasurable love.
It’s one of those moments that will forever be etched in my heart. Standing there, amid the cheers and the excitement, I understood that Senior Night was not for us the parents—it was, above all, for the kids. For those seniors. It was a testament to their hard work, dedication, and growth. And in that understanding, I found a profound sense of fulfillment and gratitude, knowing that I had the privilege to witness and celebrate this significant chapter in my son’s life.
