How is it June already??  I realized my sophomore year in high school that time seemed to be getting faster and I made the profound statement that as we get older, the faster time seems to go.  Who knew I had such insight at 16!

The end of May and beginning of June are always super nostalgic for me… even though I’m not in school anymore, nor do I have kids that are finishing up their school year, there’s still that feeling in the air that one season is ending and another is beginning.  And I love it!  Even though my summers look TOTALLY different than they used to (I’m more busy in the summers now than I ever thought I would be!), June still brings that sense of time slowing down, sipping lemonade on the porch, and taking trips to the beach whenever possible.

Well, this year is even that much more amazing because not only is my mom celebrating her 60th birthday today (sorry if you didn’t want that broadcasted, mom, but that’s an amazing number to celebrate!), but it’s the end of her last year of teaching!  She’s retiring this year!!!  And at the end of the month, she’ll be taking up residence in Greenville, SC.  It’s so hard to believe that she, my brother and I will all be in the same state again.

Mom, I’m so thankful for you and all that you sacrificed for us growing up.  And as much as I disliked having you as a teacher some days (sorry for being such a moody teenager!!), it was evident even then that you loved what you did, you enjoyed the students in your classroom and you poured into all of us with all of your heart.  You gave me a love for France long before I knew that it was a place across the ocean.  You helped me learn how to try new things and be open to other cultures… which has led to SO many opportunities in my life.  You loved me through my impossible years and you continue to love me despite all of my mistakes.  You were the first to tangibly show me what unconditional love was and because of that, my relationship with Christ has done nothing but grow as I’ve become an adult.  You’ve loved Ben from the moment you met him and continue to love him as though he’s been your son all along.  That in and of itself has meant the world to me – to us!

Je t’aime, maman… je suis très fier de toi et les ans dans l’école et avec tes étudiants.  Et je suis fier d’être ta fille.  Bon anniversaire!!

Thanks again for these photos, Kim DeLoach… they’re a treasure!