Dear Ms. Allenspach, — This Crazy Beautiful Mess

Dear Ms. Allenspach,

Today is E's last day of Kindergarten. I still remember the first day like it was yesterday. Walking her into your classroom knowing that you would officially have more waking hours with her than I would each school day. It was a hard transition for me, but for her it was nothing, and that's because of you.

When we received our teacher assignment at the end of last summer, I had no idea what an amazing match you would be for our sweet E. I hoped and prayed that her Kindergarten year would be magical and would set her up for success in years to come, but I had no idea it would be as good as it was.

We're really lucky. E is a great kid and she has always shown a love for school and learning, but we saw her flourish this year and we know that a big part of that was the impact that you had on her.

We're grateful for so many things. We're grateful she was loved and safe in your classroom and that we could hand her over to you each day without worry. We're grateful that you challenged her and that you pushed her with extra responsibilities when it was clear that she could handle it. We're grateful that you nourished her love for learning. There are countless days that she came home asking me questions and wanting me to look things up for her. We're grateful you managed to grow her love for school. It's safe to say she loves it more today than the first day she walked into your classroom (and I didn't think it was possible for her to love school any more than she already did).

Thank you for everything you taught her. Thank you for dedicating your days to teaching and molding these little people into better humans. Thank you for the wonderful memories you gave her this year.

Today sweet E is sick and had to miss her official last day of school. She was devastated when I told her she would not be going today. It was not because she thought she was missing out on a fun day, it was not because she knows the last day is special, it was because it was supposed to be her last day with you. She loves you so much and you will always be a special part of her life, and ours too.

Thank you for a great year.