19 Comments
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Megan J. Conner's avatar

Oh my goodness - hits home so hard right now. I am fully in the teenage years and I can see the end of the ride, and it terrifies me, though I can say with a resounding YES - it is totally worth it! Thanks for sharing Sandy!

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

Hang on, mom! 💕

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Shelly Snead's avatar

Every.single.thing.about.this.post. Just every single thing.♥️♥️♥️

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

Thank you, friend. I know you can relate.

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Jane Curry Weber's avatar

Oh Sandy. What a beautiful tribute to a Momma-life well loved and cherished.

When asked anything from our adults kiddos the answer is always yes, because you want to be on the ride with them. Be anywhere they are. These are beautiful pictures of the joy shared.

Thank you for inviting us into this precious chapter for you 🤗.

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

As a notorious “no” mom, saying yes has been one of the most rewarding and transformative parenting practices.

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Bekah Buchterkirchen's avatar

Oh, how I loved this and the poignant analogy! As a mom currently in the baby/toddler/preschool phase, it’s refreshing and inspiring to hear I don’t have to enjoy every phase, but rather, can pay attention—noticing God’s faithful presence in the midst of every tantrum and adorably mispronounced word. Thanks for sharing a big, beautiful piece of your heart. And congratulations on such a milestone!

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

Yes, Bekah, precisely.

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Jody Allen's avatar

🥹 Thanks for sharing your journey (and wisdom). My kids are graduating from college next month. Life is flying by!

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

Big transition time!! My middle child is also graduating from college next month. I didn’t even mention him! 🫠

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Jody Allen's avatar

Gracious! That’s a lot of change for one mama.

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

Yes, it is. (Related: on my to-do this week is “find a therapist”)

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Jody Allen's avatar

Haha! I hope you find a great one!

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Teresa Whiting's avatar

Yes to all of this!!! I love reading your words.

And also, now I'm crying😭😭😭.

Have you heard this song?? https://open.spotify.com/track/2lNTHWu2I5Tcz9ukWsV5Jj

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

I’m not crying, YOU’RE CRYING! (and no, I have not heard that song…and I don’t think I can listen to it until I walk away from this post that I cried all the way through. LOL)

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Teresa Whiting's avatar

😂 Well, now you have me laughing!! And when you're ready, I've got a whole playlist that will make you cry your eyes out!

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Oh my goodness, Sandy well I will join friends who said that they were crying/ laughing while they read this. Your encapsulation of preschool through wedding party is pretty much spot on. End of story.

(Also, have to confess even though I was prepared for it and didn't have to plan a wedding on the fly, I still felt like I had an out-of-body experience when my daughter got married. I know it happened but I'm not really sure I was there. It was the oddest thing, almost as if I couldn't understand it was actually taking place.)

Anyway, thank you for taking us along on the ride friend, and congratulations! What wonderful photos of such a blessed day.

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

Jody, you are the best cheerleader. Thanks for your love and encouragement in everything I write.

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Sandy Cooper's avatar

We can listen to it together after I drop Elliana off at college in August.

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