Member-only story
First Bell,Big Adventure
Parenthood, pep talks and a schoolyard crown.
The sun had not even fully risen when my daughter, Lily, burst into our bedroom, exclaiming with a mix of excitement and terror, "It is school day!" Her declaration was followed by a dramatic dive into our bed, insisting, "But I am not prepared!" My wife and I both exchanged knowing smiles. Neither were we.
Breakfast was a circus show. Lily wanted animal-shaped pancakes, but they ended up looking more like abstract art. "Is that a bear or a potato?" she inquired, laughing. We eventually settled on cereal, much to her mock disappointment.
Then there was the outfit selection. We had foolishly assumed we had agreed on the sparkly unicorn dress the night before, but Lily had different plans. "Mommy, unicorns are for Wednesdays. "Today is more like a rainbow day." After trying on half her wardrobe and rejecting all of our suggestions, she decided on the first outfit she had considered, paired with mismatched socks "because they are lucky."
The ride to school felt like a pep rally. Lily practiced her "Hi, I am Lily!" introduction repeatedly, while my wife pretended to be classmates with silly names like "Giggles McGee" and "Princess Glitterpants." When we arrived at the school parking lot, Lily froze. She whispered, "What if they do not like me?" I knelt…
