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When I was pregnant with Lauren, we always referred to her as "the baby". So once she was born we just called her The Girl. As in, are you going to get the girl? How is the girl? Did you hear the girl? We called her that until the next one... yet another girl... came along.
I am not typically sentimental about my kids growing up. I think it's our job as parents to raise them to be adults. So I am always glad when they reach a new milestone like walking, going to school, etc.
But today, for some reason, this is getting to me! I'm going to take her to take her permit test tomorrow. if she passes, she'll be driving with us all the time. That means one year until she really drives. And three years until she drives away to college.
I remember vividly when my parents drove me out to Morris to go to college. They were in the lead, I was behind. We stopped just north of Cromwell on the side of the road. I got out of the car and dad met me and said "we had to pull over because your mom is crying too hard to see the road". I didn't get it. We fought a lot. I wasn't pleasant. she didn't seem to enjoy me. But the act of driving me to college got to her. And picturing that for my own girl, gets to me.
Eric, on the other hand, is always sad about them growing up. He loves babies. Just loves them and loved when our kids were little. So I guess I know how he feels.
I had to look for her birth certificate and social security card today. It was among the baby cards, baptism cards, etc. There were so many there and from people that have now passed away. Like Eric's mom... she wrote Congratulations guys, I'd be happy for one, two or maybe three? Seems like a prediction now that we have three. Cards from our friends were there too. Friends that aren't couples any more. Friends that weren't married then, but are now. People that we USED to be friends with. All of it is a little sad to me today.
So, with this very un-funny post, I'll close by saying, although I'm glad that the Girl is growing up, and she's a pretty good girl most of the time, I do miss the early days when it was just the three of us, and things seemed a little easier.
Love you, Lauren Elizabeth Johnson!
