First Day of School

This entry was written by Miles:

Long-time reader, first-time writer here. 

School has been a formative time in Lizzie's and my life. I often anchor memories in relation to school. I remember meeting Lizzie as she was finishing grad school; I remember early visits to Oregon State University and the year in school my siblings were in; I even remember as far back as when I learned to tie my shoe based on the teacher who helped me. School memories create a string of memories that allows many of us to connect and relate to one another. That said, it was a surreal moment for me when our daughter stepped into pre-school this past week and reminded me how fast time goes as she begins her own school journey. 

After careful consideration and research, Lizzie and I were excited to decide that she was ready to try out a well-regarded school in our Dhaka community. While we are impressed with the school and already seeing her make new friends and grow, I must say some parts are hard. On her first official day of school, Lizzie and I (with our baby in tow) walked our preschooler to her classroom and braced ourselves to say goodbye. She stood confidently with her backpack and matching kitty cat water bottle as Lizzie and I took turns kneeling to give her big goodbye hugs and kisses. We gave each other matching thumbs-up gestures of encouragement. She cautiously stepped further into the classroom with her new teacher as Lizzie and I took a step back, both literally and figuratively. 

 I gave my daughter advice to be brave and strong during our goodbye. I realized immediately I might as well have been talking to myself as a flood of emotions hit me, realizing my little princess was starting school and would be by herself with a bunch of new people without her parents for hours. As a dad, I find there is a very protective nature dads have toward their daughters, in particular. The first day of school went well overall. We enjoyed sharing stories about how her first day went later that evening at dinner. She enjoyed the playing, the snacks, and the new friends she met, as well as the gigantic nap she took when she got home (playing and meeting new friends is hard work!). I was a very proud dad of my brave little girl. It made me think of moments in the future that I will have to step back (at times reluctantly) to allow her to grow, although it may be difficult.

We are still adjusting to this new routine of school on top of living in a foreign country and culture, and the reality that not everyone feels like going to school each morning, but this experience has added another layer of depth to our family adventure. I am grateful for our daughter starting school and the future stories about Bangladesh we will share as a family, although the story may often start out as, “Remember when our daughter started pre-school in Dhaka, and Dad cried…” :).