Well, it happened. Far sooner then I imagined. I knew it would come, perhaps in five or so years, but not today.

I was wrong.

Isabella and I went outside to play in this winter’s first snow. She went over to her friend’s house, coaxed her outside, and turns to me.

“Dad, you can go home now.”

Utter shock on my face.

I blow it off, chat with her friend’s mom for a bit, then I get the look that means “what are you still doing here!”.

After being asked again politely by my four year old to leave, I say my goodbyes and walk home.

I knew this day would come, but I thought I had a while to prepare. I guess not.