In a matter of months, you will be starting first grade.

What will you wear on your official first day of school? Will it be your favorite pink dress — the one with the stars that used to be sparkle in the sunlight but have since dulled and scattered its shine amongst the floorboards and furniture from your twirling and daydreaming?

Who will you muster up the courage to talk to? Will they notice your sweet, reluctant smile and see the brave little girl behind that shy exterior that I’ve seen emerge over the last five years?

Who will be the lucky person you sit next to during lunch? I hope you find someone to share your never-ending stories with while you pick at your food and swing your feet back and forth like an impatient pendulum on the school benches.

Will your teacher remember your name? Will you remind them that it’s spelled with two “e”s and not a “y”? Will they notice your insatiable curiosity and answer all your billions of questions?

I hope so.

I hope so many things for you, dear girl.
And I’ll be here waiting for you when your day ends to hear all about it.