I'm not sure why it feels surprising that the babies we gave birth to are growing into fully functioning adults. Intellectually, we all grasp that the toddler that has a crying meltdown in the grocery store will not continue that behavior forever. But somehow it's still shocking to see a group of 150 kids, most of whom I remember from kindergarten, walk confidently up to receive their high school diploma. Having lived in this same small town since my oldest was an infant, I savor this perspective to bear witness to the miracle of growing up. Each new stage of development, starting school, learning new sports, beginning to date, getting their driver's licenses, we adults have watched and wondered over. We have talked about our fears and hopes sitting on the bleachers at countless games and in auditoriums waiting for the start of another school concert. And now this chapter is coming to a close. Most of them are heading off somewhere new in the fall where they will have adventures that will be shared with us over a text message or in a phone call but that we probably won't witness with our own eyes. So for today, I just want to look at them-- these beautiful, strong, smart young adults, full of promise and hope, dreams of their own and dreams of their families. I want to freeze this unbelievable moment in time until the next one over takes it, catching us off-guard yet again as the waves of growth and changes continue rolling on into the future.