I had a random conversation today with a friend who, like me, has one child.  This friend’s daughter is going to be a freshman in high school, although he won’t admit it.  He will not say what he calls “the f-word” in regards to his child.  He refers to her as a 9th grader, not a freshman.

We commiserated about our children growing older, vocalizing all the usual trite sayings…how time sure flies, how they were toddlers just yesterday, blah blah blah.  But at that moment, something struck me.  As parents of only children, all the “Firsts” we experience are also the “Lasts.”

Luke’s first day of kindergarten all those many years ago was also the last first day of kindergarten Dave and I will ever go through.  His first time marching in a parade in Middle School band was also the last first time our child would respond to “Band Ten Hut.”  His first tuxedo fitting for prom was the last first fitting through which we would have to suffer.

Speaking of prom, several of the junior class parents met tonight to discuss plans for the annual After Prom Party.  It’s our responsibility (and joy) to plan this event.  One mom was all for getting a bus to haul to kids to an all-night arcade/gaming center; this is an alternative to erecting bounce houses in the gym and setting up casino tables in the Commons, a plan that also includes finding chaperones willing to stay up all night.  As this particular mom declared, “I’ve done the staying-up-all-night at Post Prom thing with my older kids and I’m not doing that again.”

I get that.  I really do.  I love my sleep.  But, the thing is, I haven’t done this before.  This is my first After Prom…and my last After Prom.  Next year, when Luke is a senior, some other parents will be in charge and I won’t have to do anything that night but help pin on the boutonniere and take pictures.

Next summer will be the first and last time we have to learn the ins and outs of senior pictures.  The year after that will be the first and last time we move our kid to college for his freshman year.  We have friends with a handful of kids who will be doing these things for years to come, but we only get to experience them once.

…or should I say we only HAVE to experience them once?  Honestly, I can’t decide if I should be happy or sad about this.  I love my son and I love his friends and I love his school.  I am going to chaperone After Prom and stay up all night and have a blast.  I’m also going to be dead tired for a good ten days after that and there is going to be a part of me that will be happy not to ever have to do that again.  This may be a Grass-Is-Always-Greener situation or one where the pros and cons of only having one child mysteriously balance out.  Truly, I’ll never know.

What I do know is that my son will start his juni…ahem…11th grade year on Wednesday.  He may drive himself because he can do that now.  He may go to Scooter’s Coffee with friends after school because he can do that now.  The days of going to his classroom the night before to unpack his backpack and meet his teacher are far behind (miss), as are the days of me getting to school at 2:45 to make sure I get a good spot in the pick up line (don’t miss).  As long as there are still firsts to be had, I can handle the lasts.