Woke to a beautiful, brisk Wednesday morning.

I know I wasn't the only parent out there struggling to relay how the temperature outside conflicted with my child's plans to wear shorts to school.

We started out butting heads.
Him huffing and puffing...pulling at his clothes.
Upset with layers -- that's always our compromise when shorts are still top of mind.
Me confirming my role as messenger and the fact that this isn't up to me... 'Sorry, Mother Nature has other plans'

Breakfast...
Him sitting a seat further away from me in protest.
A single tear making it's way down his cheek.
Sniffles.
Me...firmly not giving in.

Time to go.
He puts on his shoes.
I tie them....pause...
...then lean in with the brim of my hat against his forehead.

The biggest smile appears.

We walk to school eating muffins.
Him chatting it up.
Me listening and asking questions to keep him rolling.

We arrive at school, hug and he disappears into a sea of kids.

My eyes tearing...

...it's cold and windy after all