It happened, the baby bro is all grown up! It seems like just yesterday he was running around in his little overalls getting into EVERYTHING and now here he is getting ready to start his senior year…and it got me thinking of all the things I wish someone would have told me. So Zach (and all you other soon to be seniors), prepare yourself. Grab a pen and some paper because I am about to speak some serious truth into your life. Plus share some pictures from Zach’s Waukon senior session! Are you ready?

This year is going to be a year of a lot of “lasts.”

Last first day. Last Homecoming. Last game. In less than a year, you are going to be walking across the stage accepting your diploma and you will walk out the school for the last time as a student. For many, it will be the last time you see a lot of your classmates. There are still days where I come across random friend suggestions on Facebook of someone I forgot I went to high school with. It’s sad but it is true. There will be people that you can’t imagine never not being close friends with. However, after you leave these halls, things change.

People get jobs or go to school and all of a sudden it is a lot harder to keep those friendships going. It seems crazy but it happens. There are people I spent every day of high school with that I haven’t talked to in years, and that is okay. People grow and people change. Life gets busy so as you get ready to start your senior year remember that. Make time for the people around you. Create memories together. Above all else don’t wish that time away.

Apply for a lot of scholarships.

I had some serious “senioritis” throughout my senior year. I did not want to do any work. After a certain point I was really fed up with every bit of homework. You may experience the same thing but something you should not ignore is the scholarships. College is expensive but if you spend the time now it will be a lot easier when you graduate. You don’t have heaping piles of student debt to deal with!!

Speaking of money, I know it is tempting to spend all that hard earned summer money on new clothes or video games, but save it. Save the money now, when you have no bills or real responsibilities. Once you get to college, there are a lot of random expenses that pop up and you will thank me when you have your own money and don’t have to ask mom and dad for it. I worked four jobs while in college because stuff ain’t cheap y’all!

My last piece of advice, enjoy every second you have left.

Go to all the events. Spend time with all your friends. Just do as much as you possibly can because pretty soon it will all be over. Hopefully you take these words to heart. Looking back, I don’t know if high school me would have but I am smarter now so just trust me on this one, okay? Okay!

Zach, I have no doubt that you will go on and do great things after your time at MFL MarMac is over. While you can be a pain in my butt sometimes, I am so proud of the young man you are becoming and I can’t wait to see all of the things you will accomplish in your life. There are no words that describe how much it means to me to be your big sister. Now go on and make me proud!

P.S. I hope you enjoy a few of the bloopers from this rural Waukon senior session below! (Don’t worry mom, I put in some of the nice ones too!)