This summer was different. Not just that it was so freaking rainy and HOT, but different for me as the mom of 3 boys. We had the usual… run to practices and games and late-night dinners and lots of “who’s getting this one to that and that one to this.” Coordinating is always a thing in a house of 5.

But here’s the thing. There wasn’t the scrambling of shirtless little bodies trying to wiggle away from sunscreen and yelling for a pool towel or cutting the tops off of plastic tube popsicles.

No sitting in a lounge chair counting how long they could hold their breath under water or rating jumps off the diving board.

No cleaning up the trail of water from the door of the living room to the bathroom.

No yelling, “Let’s NOT dunk your brother.”

No holding warm bodies wrapped up in towels, telling them to change from the wet clothes.

This summer we launched kids. We had a whole entire summer of real-life skill learning and then executing said skills. All three of our beautiful boys grew up seemingly overnight. We created résumés, coached on interviewing, and had conversations on hiring processes and asking for what you want in a career. Yes, I said CAREER. That’s crazy! Not summer jobs but, like, self-supporting careers with insurance and retirement accounts.

We taught driving, safety, road awareness, AND parallel parking! And most importantly, the absolute necessity of communication with us while being out in the world by yourself.

And then the baby of the family grew taller than us all. And took initiative to get yardwork summer jobs from neighbors and friends, then brought one of his brothers in to work with him! Found the joy of saving money. And then found the absolute joy in spending money on favorite things! Then one early morning in August, I took him to the airport, and he flew by himself across 5 states, navigating airports for flight changes and landing safely at his fishing vacation destination. He had the opportunity to vacation with friends, and we supported the adventure.

I was thinking, “Wow, this summer went fast, and I feel like I didn’t accomplish anything.”

Then I remembered what really happened. So much growing up happened with lots of “I love you too, Mom” as they ran out the door!

Maybe, just maybe, we did accomplish a few things 💙💙💙

Thank God I do know how to make their favorite meals to bring them back to my table 😉