These are my thoughts on The First Day of School

The day I have been waiting for all summer has finally arrived. That's right, today was the first day of school. I'm aware of how strange it is that I look forward to the end of my 3 month long vacation every year, but I just really love my job and I miss it terribly in the summer. And I was going to say that this was the best first day of school I've ever had, but if I'm being honest, today and yesterday were two of the best days I have ever had. Period. Here's why:

Yesterday was the open house at school. As I was sitting around waiting for my new students to come in and meet me, I saw one of my kids from last year out in the hall with his mom. And it wasn't just 'one of my kids.' It was the kid who literally brought me to tears every day the last two weeks of school. As he came in to say hi, I realized how much I missed the little guy and I almost lost it as he gave me a big hug. He told me who his teacher was (which I already knew because I insisted that he be put in that class) and I told him that this teacher wasn't going to put up with any of his nonsense. He looked at me and quite seriously replied "I know. And I'm not going to make it 2 days without my nonsense." Did I mention I miss this kid?

This morning he stopped in again before school started and gave me another big hug. He found me at recess, on his way to lunch and during P.E. and gave me huge hugs every time. When school was over, he found me again to tell me how great his first day of school was. He told me all about how he got to push the teacher's wheelchair that day and was so proud of how helpful he'd been. 

This is a really big deal to me. We all have those kids that we worry about more than others. He is that kid to me. And honestly one of my biggest worries was that he wouldn't know how much I cared about him. I must have kicked him out of class a dozen times in the last two weeks of school alone. I don't remember a day when he wasn't in trouble for something. I worried a lot that he would think I hated him.
*Huge sigh of relief*
He knows.

These days have been so amazing because I not only got to meet the new little wonders in my life, but I also realized I didn't lose the ones I already had. I was ambushed 4 times today by tiny hoards of past students, once to the obvious disapproval of the 3rd grade teacher (It really wasn't my fault. I just happened to be walking out of the lunch room as they were walking in). It was kinda fun (and I feel a little like a celebrity).

I love the first day of school! Like I've been saying all week, it's better than Christmas Day.