“What are you excited about this year?”
Graduation season is upon us, a time that often brings a flood of nostalgia and an abundance of tissues. As parents, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time passes—one moment you’re holding back tears as you send your little one off to their first day of school, and the next, you’re tearing up as they accept their high school diploma, stepping into adulthood and hoping that they won’t stray too far from home.
In a remarkable display of foresight, Thomas Reynolds began recording his daughter Lily’s first days of school in the early 2000s. Every year, from first grade through 12th, he sat down with her to ask what she was most looking forward to that year. Get ready for the feels—this is about to get emotional.
Witnessing Lily transition from an adorable six-year-old with a passion for drawing to a stunning teenager who openly admits to checking out “cute boys” on her first day was nothing short of a gut punch. What an incredible gift for both Thomas and Lily to treasure forever. The recurring “I love you” exchanged at the end of each segment is sure to trigger those ugly crying moments.
The heartfelt video garnered over 1.3 million views on YouTube within just three days, likely because many of us are emotional creatures, already counting down the summers left with our kids in the nest (I mean, 16 summers sounds like a lot, right?). Or perhaps we all just have a soft spot for truly touching graduation gifts.
In a quirky follow-up video, Thomas dons a puka shell necklace and humorously addresses viewers’ questions, such as why his voice hasn’t changed in all those years and expressing his excitement about gaining “subscribers.” He thanked everyone for sharing in the “amazing adventure” and experiencing in just a few minutes what he’s been privileged to witness over the last 13 years of Lily’s life.
It’s impossible to savor every moment, even with the knowledge that children grow up so swiftly. But as long as we are present for the significant milestones, that’s what truly counts.
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In summary, Thomas Reynolds’ touching video compilation of his daughter Lily’s first days of school serves as a beautiful reminder of the fleeting nature of childhood and the importance of cherishing every moment.