17

Our Jentry is officially 17, the age she has been wanting to be for years. She spent the day shopping with her cousin Serenity in Lincoln. They went to the SouthPointe Mall, the Gateway Mall, 7 Brew, Crumbl Cookie, Noodles & Company and Target.  

I was both disappointed and pleased that she is confident and mature enough to navigate the big city without me. She is at the stage of life where she is capable and yet still needs me. 

For her birthday dinner, we enjoyed her meal request of ham loaf, sweet potato casserole, sweetcorn and brownie sundaes. Her dear friends, Emma and Lincoln, joined us for the celebration.

The days of her here, under the same roof, are slipping away but the reality is encouraging me to stop and take in the small, everyday moments. I still make it a point to give her a hug and tell her goodnight.

Yesterday she officially applied to college and I am over the moon excited for her and yet I want to keep her under my wing of security. This coming year will be all about the great parenting paradox of both holding tight and letting go.