It’s a short time span between birth and graduation. Over the past few weeks, cameras have captured little humans and youths posing for their first-day-of-school photo.

Whether heading down the street to elementary school or across the country to begin college, students are accompanied by an energy fueled by excitement and jitters. It’s a time of new beginnings.

Parents watch and say good-bye as their child embarks on Grade 1 and as their teen ventures off to University. Both send-offs evoke tears. Both require a leap of faith trusting that letting go will be O.K. In the moment of waving good-bye and the days and weeks that follow, life will be different. This good-bye represents one of life’s rites of passage.

Believe in the magic of family. Enjoy 17 sweet summers and playful winters. Collect life long memories together.

The wave good-bye is worth it.