A Nate's Tale

Once upon a time, a young couple more truly in love than had ever existed before them, were told that they would never bare children. They had discussed it in the past and decided that only time would tell what their future would hold. Fast-forward like a month The woman, we shall call her Emily, was with child. And no, you nasty perverts, the child was half Emily and half, Alan, the man. Fast-forward until September 2008 The day was fast approaching when Emily would have to part with her dearest son, Nathan, so that he could receive the education that he so deserved. Thinking about days without Nate crumbled Emily's heart. She tried desperately to hide her true feelings from Nate, knowing that if he saw her upset, he'd be worried too. Well, the day came, Sept. 2, 2008. The family arose from their beds and acted so excited, that they might have almost believed it, for a moment that is. Alan went to work. Emily, Nate and their younger daughter, Abbie, climbed into the minivan and made their way to Van Hise Elementary School. They waited by the playground until their teachers came outside with signs for lining up. Emily helped Nate find his line and stayed close. She and Abbie walked Nate into the school, helping him find his locker and put all of his supplies inside. They, all three of them, walked into Nate's classroom and found his seat. He put on his name tag. Emily could tell that Nathan was nervous and thought it better to leave sooner rather than later. Emily bent over, gave him a kiss and a hug and said, "I love you. I'll see you this afternoon. Have fun!". Emily managed to keep her voice relatively stable, but as soon as she reached the outside, she cried. She took Abbie and walked up towards the car. As they walked the saw Nate's classroom--Emily was excited until she realized that Nate was sobbing too. The hardest thing for Emily to do that day was to walk away, just walk away. The rest of the week has been about the same--Tears in the morning, sort of happy at the end of the day. Today, Emily said, "So how was today? Did you cry anymore times than when you got dropped off?" Nate replied so so proudly, "I only cried two other times, Mommy!" For all you moms out there who think it's cake and wonderful to have your kids all gone to school, it's not. My heart has been smashed, stepped on, shot with a staple gun--FOUR times this week. My little Nate-Nate.