Raising Smarter Children

       Calling all moms. It’s one of every mother’s proudest days – her daughter’s wedding!  My baby girl, who will always be my baby girl, is the co-founder of this Raising Smarter Children blog, a Pediatrician who loves kids as much as I do, and now – a married woman.

Sometimes I wonder – how hard is it to let go of our kids?

I was one of those moms who raised my kids to be so independent, and thought I’d never feel that empty nest grit in my heart… who knew I’d cry

when Erin left for college, and all I had to do was walk by her empty laundry basket for the tears to fall?

Well, the years went by, and one day, 8 years ago, she asked if she could bring a boy home for Thanksgiving.  All she said is, “I really like him, Mom.”  

I met him and instantly knew they’d be together for life.  Erin and Sean are truly a match made in heaven.  He’s a brilliant scientist who’s on his way to great things – but more importantly than that, he makes my daughter smile…he makes her laugh and sees the humor in all the goings on in life…

As you all know, from the ‘about us’ section on this blog, and certainly from my books and newsletters at http://www.howtolearn.com, my children are the light of my life.  I’ve dedicated all my books to my son, J.P. and he too, works with kids who are unique and special.

As for the wedding day - I admit that while it was perfect, it was hard to really let go of my daughter.  Erin has long been much wiser than her years, telling me she was going to be a doctor at age 5.  She never once changed her mind and set up her life to do just that. (Gosh, I should have given up this mooshy can’t let go stuff long ago :):))

Her wedding day was simply beyond words -even for this mom who writes!  All the girls, soon to be mother in law and I got our hair and makeup done in a cottage at the reception site in the wine country in California.  I have to admit, we did look pretty good – but the real beauty was Erin – and in more ways than one.

The two ‘moms’ helped Erin get dressed - wow, those 40 buttons down the back of the gown were something else  – and suddenly,  my ever so grown-up daughter, who is always much cooler, more calm and and far more collected than her mother, asked her two ‘moms’ to come into a separate room with her. 

She started to cry and said she could not say all the words she had planned for us, but more than thanked us for an unimaginable everything.  Erin took out a bag, and gave us both a mirror compact, engraved with “Mom” on the front, and “Love, Erin” on the back.

Now the three of us were crying (sobbing really), and I felt so very happy that my daughter thought to unify our two families with such a remarkably kind and loving gesture – putting Mom on both the gifts.

At that very moment I knew – this really is the loving woman who was once my baby girl!

I still haven’t really let go – can any moms reading this do it all that easily?

The wedding day went on, the church service was very special, and it was the groom who had tears in his eyes for just a moment (shh – he probably wouldn’t want you to know)…

Erin’s reception was beautiful; it was sunny and warm, we could see colorful vineyards and water in the distance…

I do remember I barely ate – my best friends kept trying to feed me, but it was kind of like a haze for me.  I kept looking at Erin and Sean, seeing how happy they were, and knew in my heart, that all that ever matters in this life is love – so who cares if we moms can’t really let go of our kids?  We always love them no matter what.

Our kids grow up, they leave, and they come back with kids of their own – then they know why we cry – happy and sad tears at their wedding.

So, we’ll have to change that “about us’ page now – Erin’s new name is Dr. Erin Studer!

This post is dedicated to my baby girl - my beautiful daughter Erin, and her new husband, Sean!  Let’s all send them off to their marriage with prayers for a long, long life, filled to the brim with love, laughter and light! 

And, P.S. hurry up newlyweds - the two moms want grandkids we can spoil! O.K. we promised we wouldn’t bug you about that this soon.  Enjoy your honeymoom in Morea, and we’ll see you when you get back.

All my love,

Mom