This week, for Valentines, I helped my youngest son make his last Valentine’s Day Box for his class party. He stopped being so excited about the project when I mentioned this.

“What do you mean this is my last Valentine’s Day Box?”

“You’re going to junior high next year.” I don’t how he had forgotten. He talked of little else lately. “You won’t have class parties anymore.”

“Oh…” He bowed his head and scrunched the material I’d cut for his box in his hands. “Maybe getting older isn’t so cool after all.”

“Didn’t I keep telling you not to wish your youth away? The good news, it isn’t all bad. Growing up means, you’ll also get to drive a car one day. Date girls. Get kisses.”

“Ew, mom!”

Honestly, I’m glad that’s still his reaction, though I know it won’t last forever. Growing older is something none of us can stop. And it really is good news that age brings more opportunities and independence, yet it also closes doors. That’s why you should always live in the now, trying everything the age you’re in has to offer. Eventually, all, like my son, will experience a “last time” that no amount of wishing can stop from happening.

Here’s to the end of an era…