The Night Before Kindergarten

Dear Evan,
I just kissed you good night and tucked you in to bed for the last time before you start kindergarten tomorrow.  Tomorrow!!!  How can that be?  The last five years have flown by, kiddo, but you are ready.  You are definitely ready.  It's me who isn't!  I am so excited for this journey that you are about to begin but part of me is a little sad too.  I'm going to miss you!  We've been fortunate to have had the last five years together...I'd even go as far as to say that we've been spoiled but I have enjoyed it immensely.  Sure there have been moments that I'd like to forget (this morning's incident at Dunkin Donuts even) but overall it's the good times, the happy times that I remember most.
I remember the day you were born and the moment I held you in my arms for the first time and decided that you looked like "an Evan".  I remember all the silly faces and noises you used to make when you were just an infant.  I remember when you learned to sit up and we would play together on the floor for hours.  I remember when you learned to crawl just before we went to see Papa & Gramma in Florida and you demonstrated your crawling on all fours technique.  I remember when you started to walk shortly after you turned one which I was quite glad about because I didn't want you to be crawling with shorts on during the summer.  All of that was just in the first year of your life!!
There are so many amazing moments from the next four years too. Like when you started talking and it seemed as though you had a new word or two or three everyday.  (You pretty much haven't stopped since!  Just like momma!) Or all of the adventures we went on together...to the zoo, to the playground, for walks on the bike path, to Papa & Gramma's house, to Washington for Christmas with Omi and Grandpa.  So many events both big and small.  Meeting your brother for the first time and how you seemed to grow up almost overnight.  Beginning preschool and going out into the big wide world for the first time on your own.  Learning to ride your bike almost effortlessly after riding the balance bike for a couple of years.  Learning to swim in Papa & Gramma's pool this summer...Gramma would be so proud!
And now, my dear child, you are about to embark on your next big adventure.  I can't wait to experience school again through your eyes.  The love you have for learning is amazing.  I hope you never lose it!  I hope that you make some wonderful friends.  Friends with whom you will travel through school and hopefully have some life-long friendships as a result.  I hope that you have great teachers.  Teachers who challenge you and understand what makes you tick.  Teachers who help you to find your way in this world and who are good role models for you.  But most of all, I hope you know just how proud Daddy and I are of you already and how much we love you!  You can't measure it, I can't explain it but trust me when I say that I feel as though my heart will burst sometimes from all the love that I have for you!  You are going to do amazing things and become a young man that makes us proud...always!!  Never forget that!  "Kid, you'll move mountains!  You're off to great places.  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting so...get on your way!!"  I hope you have a wonderful first day of kindergarten, pal!  I love you so much!
Love always,
Mom.