And, in a remarkable twist, the wedding is taking place in Guatemala. With our flights booked and departure tomorrow, excitement is in the air—eek!

Amidst the whirlwind of deciding what to pack—choosing shoes and dresses suited for the warm tropical heat of Central America—I find myself trying to process my thoughts. What exactly does one say to their firstborn son as he embarks on this grand adventure called marriage?

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

Reflecting on those early days feels so appropriate. It seems like just yesterday that we witnessed his first smile at eight weeks old. I remember crawling across the floor with scissors and tape in hand, creating giant drawing sheets for him to illustrate his imaginative dinosaurs. We shared countless joyful moments, from watching the latest episode of “How to Train Your Dragon” to constructing forts in our garden with whatever sheets we could find.

THE KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR

Like many boys, our son always envisioned himself as a valiant knight, brimming with courage and confidence, ready to tackle any challenge—be it slaying dragons or hunting down dinosaurs. Today, however, Ethan stands as a knight in his own right, bolstered by his own convictions and a profound love for Sofia.

As parents, we witness a tapestry of triumphs and disappointments, losses and wins, laughter and tears in our children's lives. It’s not always easy, but it is this mosaic of experiences that stitches together the complex quilt of their identities, shaping who they become. I find myself pondering the miracle of Ethan’s transformation from a boy to a man.

EMBRACING CHANGE

No one is every fully prepared for this moment, and letting go is never easy. So thank you for allowing me to be little sentimental. As one of my best friends reminded me recently,I'm about to become a "mother-in-love" instead of just a Mother-in-law, and I love the sound of that!

Now, I really should go and see how I can fit those high heels into my hand luggage.