VPK graduation is perfect ending for Daddy Duty column

Some kids sheepishly walked across the stage to get their diplomas.

Others waved at family members in the audience.

Not Isabella.

When her name was finally called, she sprinted up the five stairs and ran across the stage into the arms of her teacher, Linda Shomgard.

It was a long wait. Having the last name Walters means she’ll have to get used to being called last, or near last, in life.

It’s OK. I always looked at it as saving the best for last.

Once Isabella received her diploma, Mrs. Shomgard announced to the crowd: “I proudly present the Friendly Frogs Class of 2019.”

With that, Isabella had graduated from VPK at Cross Bridge Learning Center in Rockledge.

During the past three years I’ve avoided using the names of Isabella’s teachers or school. Obviously, her privacy and safety have always been our No. 1 concern.

But finales always have a big reveal. And with Isabella’s graduation and this being the final regular installment of Daddy Duty, I figured my big reveal would be to tell the world about Cross Bridge, and what an amazing place it has been for our daughter.

This is a bittersweet moment for two reasons. I’ve known for quite some time when Isabella would be graduating, and I’ve also known that my column had an end date.

Once they arrived, though, it’s tough.

However, for every end, there’s a new beginning.

If there’s one thing in life I’ve learned, it’s that once you’ve reached a goal or destination, you start to look to the next goal or destination. That’s what keeps me going.

As corny as it sounds, I think of an exchange between Flynn Rider and Rapunzel in the Disney move, “Tangled.”

Rapunzel: "What if it’s not everything I dreamed it would be?"

Flynn Rider: "It will be."

Rapunzel: "And what if it is? What do I do then?"

Flynn Rider: "Well, that’s the good part I guess. You get to go find a new dream."

Now I will start working on my next goal.

I also will always encourage Isabella to chase her dreams, and if they come true, to find new ones.

In just less than three months, Isabella will start kindergarten. Before I know it, she’ll be in high school.

It brings to mind another of my favorite movie quotes, and this one I’m sure you’ve seen me use before.

It’s from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

Ferris: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

I’ve tried to make as much time as I can for Isabella because she’s only a child once, and it’s not for very long. I’m happy I’ve been a part of many of her special moments.

The final thing I’d like to say is to all the readers: Thank you.

Without you, this column wouldn’t have been around very long.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for emailing. Thank you for calling. Thank you for mailing letters. Thank you for caring. And thank you for sharing — both sharing your stories and sharing my columns with other people.

When I started this column on May 22, 2014, it was intended to be written for a few weeks prior to my wife giving birth to our first child and for the few weeks after.

Your response led me to continue writing it. So for more than five years, and 264 columns, I’ve done my best to bring you my family’s story to help show people that we all go through ups and downs when parenting. It’s how we handle them that matters.

Isabella is a wonderful child and her story has been fun to share with the community.

We’re not going anywhere, so if you ever see us out and about, feel free to say hi. And if you’re ever curious about how she’s doing, please email. You know where to find me.

Contact Walters at twalters@floridatoday.com.

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