The Lasts We Don’t See Coming (and the Ones We Do)

Reflections from a Grateful Dad

“Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”

– Kathryn Andrews

There’s something deeply emotional about the “lasts” in life.

Some sneak up on us quietly—the last bedtime story, the last time your child asks to hold your hand in public, the last school drop-off when they still look back to wave. You never really know it’s the last time until long after it’s passed.

And then, there are the “lasts” we do see coming. We circle them on calendars. We prepare (or at least we think we do). But when they arrive, they hit with a force that catches us completely off guard.

That’s exactly what happened to me recently, on the day our youngest daughter, Faith, walked out the door for her final day of high school.

This wasn’t just a personal milestone for Faith—it was a family milestone, too. We’ve been here before. My wife and I have had the joy and honor of watching all four of our daughters grow, learn, stumble, shine, and ultimately walk the stage to receive their diplomas. And today will be our last high school graduation as parents.

We knew it was coming. But still… I wasn’t ready.

Watching Faith step into this day has brought with it a flood of memories—warming pancakes as she rushed out the door, Cross Country meets and art shows, TikTok dances, laughter echoing from upstairs. So many moments that once felt like part of the daily routine, now tucked away as cherished memories.

And here we are - Graduation Day. The last graduation cap to be tossed in the air. The last time we’ll sit in those stands as high school parents.

It will be beautiful. And it will be hard.

What is it about “lasts” that touches the heart in such a powerful, bittersweet way?

They mark the end of something that mattered. They carry the weight of time—of love poured out, of seasons survived, of joy and struggle interwoven into the tapestry of family life. And no matter how much you’ve prepared, your heart feels the shift.

But as emotional as they are, “lasts” also offer us something precious: perspective.

They remind us to savor the present. To pause and take in the laughter around the dinner table. To lean into the noise and chaos, because someday it won’t be there. To say “thank you” more often. To recognize how lucky we are to love and be loved so deeply.

So how do we honor these “lasts”?

1.    Be present in them. Even if you know they’re coming, allow yourself to fully feel them. Don’t rush past the moment.

2.    Acknowledge the emotion. It’s okay to feel the ache. It means the experience mattered. It means they matter.

3.    Celebrate the journey. Reflect on the growth, the laughter, the milestones that brought you to this point.

4.    Look ahead with hope. Because every ending opens the door to a brand-new beginning.

For Faith, this last day of high school is only the start of a new chapter. One where she gets to bring her joy, compassion, and her deep faith to a whole new audience. She’ll take all that love and care she’s received—and shared—and extend it into new spaces, friendships, and opportunities. Watching her prepare for college is a reminder that the story keeps going. That the impact continues.

And as her dad, I couldn’t be prouder.

I’ve cherished all the peaks and valleys that have come with raising four incredible daughters. Each of their stories is unique and now they get to continue writing them. My role is shifting, but the love - that only grows deeper.

Yes, this will be our last high school graduation. But it’s also the beginning of so many firsts. And I can’t wait for what comes next.

Here’s to the beauty of the “lasts.” And the promise of the “firsts.”

TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE - It's ok to show your emotions. I know I'll need some tissues over the next few days.

Faith's Last HS XC Race

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My Girls - Faith, Izzy, McKenna, Grace