Tomorrow is the last weekend before school starts and my heart feels a little heavier with each hour that passes. Monday marks the beginning of a new routine, a new grade, and another chapter. And while I know she’s ready, I can’t help but feel a bittersweet ache as summer slowly slips through our fingers.

I know a lot of parents are counting down the minutes until the first school bell rings. And I get it. Truly, I do. There’s no judgment from me. We all need quiet sometimes, time to think, breathe, hear our own thoughts. I’ve had those moments too. But this year, I find myself dreading that first Monday morning more than usual.

Because the truth is… I’m going to miss her.

She’s my little sidekick, my helper, my partner in crime. She’s my coffee buddy in the morning while the baby is still half asleep. She plays with her baby sister so I can whip up pancakes or sneak in a quiet sip of hot coffee. We have slow, cozy mornings where time doesn’t rush us, just us, the cartoons humming in the background, the stroller waiting by the door for a midday walk.

And now, that pace is about to change.

School mornings are rushed, chaotic, full of missing socks and packed lunches and half finished cereal bowls. And while they have their own charm, I’ll miss the soft rhythm we’ve had these past few months. I’ll miss her chatter, her laughter, her “mom, look at this!” every two seconds. I’ll miss the way her baby sister lights up when she walks into the room. And honestly? I think the baby is going to miss her the most.

Of course, we’ll adjust. We always do. But the first few weeks are always the hardest. The house will feel quieter. The days will stretch just a little longer. And 3 p.m. will never feel like it comes soon enough.

So this weekend, I’m holding on to every second. We’ll squeeze in all the cuddles, pancakes, and cartoons we can. Because come Monday, we step into a new season, not just the school year, but the season of letting go a little… and cheering her on as she grows.