Nicole turned fifteen today.
That’s her in the picture. On the left. She wasn’t fifteen there. She is the age I remember her the most. The age she still is in my head.
Today, we ran a half marathon together. We stuck together until about mile three, when I needed to stop for a restroom break.
I watched her continue on. When I resumed running, she was a bit ahead of me. She kept pulling farther and farther away until I couldn’t see her anymore.
Being her birthday, I couldn’t help but see the parallel. Her mom and I have been loving her, training her and preparing her for the day she will one day go out into the world on her own. She is pulling away from us.
Not in a bad way, but in the way she is supposed to.
She is an incredible young lady of whom her mom and I couldn’t be more pleased and proud. We have no worries or concerns about her ability to follow the Lord and do what she knows is right.
That doesn’t mean we are happy about it.
Although we are excited for her future, our home will not be the same without her. I realize we are a bit premature in these feelings, but we knew this day would come the first time we held her in our arms. Life with our children is a gradual separation.
Just before mile nine, I saw her grey hoodie. She was tired and walking so I had the opportunity to catch up. We were able to finish together. I was able to help her finish strong.
I couldn’t help but see the parallel again.
She’s not gone yet and she still needs mom and dad for a few more years.
That makes it a very happy day for me too.
Joel Stiff's Adventure 