We got up early, made a good breakfast and then we were off to the local Elementary School. It was my daughter’s first day of Kindergarten. I thought I was prepared as I have been a working Mom since my first child was born and I have taken my children to childcare on a daily basis. However, nothing could have prepared me for this day. Not even the books I bought for my child ("Here I Come Kindergarten"), the talking with other Mom's about it, the various preparations I’d made a full month before could have helped. I bragged to my husband in the car, “Oh, this won't be as hard on us as those poor sweet Mom's who have been home with their little ones every day.” Well hit me sideways! We pulled up to the school and tears pooled in my eyes. With a quick sniff, I decided I should get my composure so my daughter wouldn’t get scared if she saw me crying. I had a lump the size of my daughter’s backpack stuck in my throat when we walked into the school. As we went into the cafeteria for Kindergarten Orientation I looked around and saw that I was not alone. Mother's, and Father's too, had glossy eyes. The hardest part was when my daughter asked me where Mia, Delaney and Anna were, among many other names of children who had been in her Pre-K class. She didn't understand why they weren’t there too! My heart constricted. She started to look sad and hopped off of my lap and said, "I want my Daddy". My tears welled up again, but I gained composure as I listened to my husband encourage her. It ripped my heart out to see fear on her face, but she got strong and as they called her name she went forward. We watched in amazement as her little legs trotted in the line to her new class. She then turned to see if we were still there. I was. Where else would I be on this most important of days for her! She waved and said, "I love you Mommy and gave me a thumbs up". I have to tell you, I cried all the way home. I’d planned to go into work after, but I called into work and took the day off. I cried off and on for hours until it was time to pick her up. When we got there, all the Kindergarten students were lined up outside for their parent(s) to get them. From the carpool line, I saw my daughter, waiting like a big girl, just as her teacher had already taught her. She gave me a little wave and when they called her name to come to me, she ran and jumped in my arms and said, "I LOVED KINDERGARTEN MOMMY!"