This Is How It Feels To Be A Parent Of The Class Of 2020

I am the PROUD parent of a Class of 2020 high school graduate. Yes, you read correctly. Y’all done watched my son graduate from elementary and junior high school. Now he’s eighteen and headed to college. His 18th birthday was this week, and and his virtual graduation ceremony is being held this weekend. Although I’m extremely proud, I am also experiencing an array of other emotions. I’m feeling hurt because my son wasn’t able to truly enjoy his senior year due to COVID. No Prom. No walking across the stage to get his diploma, with his family cheering him on. My son is actually coping with all of this better than I am. For that, I am very proud him as well.

I’m anguished because I wasn’t able to witness my son walk across that stage. This is my only child. It feels as if a once in a lifetime moment was stolen from me.

I am afraid. Afraid to let my son go off into the world. Especially at a time of turmoil. My baby is no longer a baby. He’s coming of age in the midst of a pandemic and race war. The world littered with overt racism, police brutality and pure hate. I wish I could be with him at all times. Be his shield of protection.

But he’s becoming a man and I have to loosen my grip. So I pray every day for God to be a shield of protection over my young king. To keep him safe and sound, and out of harms way.

My son is now a registered voter. Right on time for one of the most important elections in our lifetime. As a first time voter, he represents a new generation of voters that have the power to make their voices heard loud and clear come election time. I’ve been taking him with me to vote since he was very young. I’m excited that he will be able to cast his own vote for the first time. We need all hands on deck to get 45 out of office.

SHOP THE LOOK

In just the first half of 2020, my son has experienced things that I never thought I’d see in this lifetime. When he goes away to college he’ll be experiencing something that I haven’t experienced at all since I stayed home for college. I’m sad because my baby is growing up and leaving the nest. I am not ready to let go. I’m nervous because I can’t give him advice from experience. I’m anxious because he will be pretty far away, and I won’t be able to physically give him a shoulder to lean on. But I’m optimistic as my son is strong and resilient. I believe that he will be just fine.

I am happy. It was far from easy to get here. As a matter of fact, we faced some really tough times. But momma, we made it. My son is a Class of 2020 high school graduate. And I raised this high school graduate pretty much on my own. So I’m giving us both a well deserved pat on the back. I’m looking forward to seeing what other great things my son will accomplish once he puts his mind to it.

I did this photo shoot in celebration of both my son’s 18th birthday, and his high school graduation. I had planned to have a professional shoot done. But COVID happened. So I put on my supermom cape and did the shoot myself. These are some of the photos that I took, and I just love how they came out. His personality and maturity definitely shines through.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!