A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be your friend

Garrett, Rob (!), and I went to a picnic for Garrett's new school. My primary goal was to meet other parents we can invite over so our kids can play. I offer excellent hospitality and a park and petting zoo for the kids to enjoy.

Personally, playdates are awkward. At this age, I am just hoping to develop friendships with moms that will get our kids to develop social skills outside of school and maybe even long-term friendships! Even though we rarely talk, I always know I can ask my oldest friend for advice and comfort and, well, anything. Thank you Pamela!

I wish I had successfully enabled the development of this kind of friendship for Mikela. I made many attempts, but it never really worked out. Maybe this is because we moved to Fountain for a little while, she developed some good friends there, but then we moved. The closest person she has to this is Jordyn, who she met in 6th grade. But she doesn't really have anyone she has been friends with since birth.

The best shot I have for Garrett, I think, is Penelope and Abigail, our next door neighbours. We both get along well with Wendy and Aaron, who are some of the coolest people I have met as an adult, and it is the first time i have been around parents, my own age, with similar interests. But I still hope to develop more friendships for Garrett.

And maybe that is the crux of it for Mikela, without cousins her own age nearby, and without a lot of parents my own age (single or otherwise), we were both always struggling to make friends at that time. Thank God we do have close family (physically and in spirit), who really do lift her up.

I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to parent this amazing girl. And thankful that my Mom is there when Mikela needs her. Right now, as always.

1st grade. Mother's Day tea. Me and my beautiful girl.