Junior High Thoughts

So my daughter started junior high this week. That's kind of freaking me out. I know that I am going to turn around and she'll be prepping for college. But even if that doesn't happen as quickly as I fear, she still has all of those firsts still ahead of her. I just want to beat the guy up already who gives her the first kiss, or the friend who breaks her confidence. I am excited to see who invites her to her first banquet or if she gets nominated to court or student council. What will her first car be? Will she make it on varsity her freshman year? All these things are still coming. And I can't wait to be sitting in the bleachers, waiting by the front door with the camera, holding her close while she cries because he likes her best friend, delighting with her when she makes the winning basket during the playoffs, observing her when her eyes open to a world that she never realized existed, spending time on my knees praying that she'll stay tender in her heart to the Lord, providing balance to the chaos, giving advice when it's warranted and letting her fall so she'll know how to get back up. I can only imagine what the next few years will bring, but I so want to enjoy each step of the process. So thank you Lord for every moment I have with this beautiful child. How could I ask for more?