Earlier today, I went to the local mall with my two daughters, aged 28 and 22. While waiting outside one of the stores for them, I found myself directly across from a store that was a huge part of their childhood: The Children’s Place. I just stood there staring for what seemed like forever, eyes tearing up…..

Yes, I know it is just a children’s clothing store, but to me it’s more than that. It’s what that store represents…..my littles, and how much I miss them.

I first started going to that store when my oldest was a baby. That’s 28 years ago. That girl had more clothes than anyone I know. You see, my mother in law and I would go shopping there together. When we found an outfit we liked and we couldn’t decide on what color to get, we would usually get all of them. If it came in four colors, she would pay for two and I would pay for two. And when I say outfit, I mean soup to nuts. Everything had to match: tops, bottoms, socks, headband….

When she started preschool, the teacher told me they couldn’t wait to see what she would be wearing each day she came to school because she was always so color coordinated. My husband would complain that he was paying rent to The Children’s Place each month, but then he’d always acknowledge how adorable she looked every day.

My son didn’t wear as much from that store. I liked the boy clothes better at Gap Kids for him. My youngest daughter – oh my goodness – the stuff I bought for her from there. So so cute. Once again, the rent was being paid each month, but boy did she look beautiful. Always.

Now, I’m not saying that I didn’t buy them clothing anywhere else. I certainly did. But for some reason, seeing those giant letters right in front of me today took my breath away. I was currently at the mall with my two best friends in the world (even though they might be a little mean to me sometimes, lol), and yet I was missing the beautiful babies and little girls they used to be. It was strange and a little sad.

One day, you are buying their little clothes and dressing them. Then you blink and they are buying their own clothes and “adulting” all over the place. Why did I blink? I shouldn’t have blinked. I wish I didn’t blink…..