Big School
Today Izzy left primary school. I'm very happy, and proud, to be an exceptionally involved dad. When I started Raven Forge, Izzy was in reception and Max was in year 2. The plan was always to start work after I’d walked the kids up to school at 9.30, and to finish work at 3.10 so I could walk up to pick them up and walk home. I’m very happy to confirm that for 5 years I have lived this life. These 2 trips with 2 of my favourite people in the whole world have framed most days, Monday to Friday. This was part of the core I have created my new life and company around, not just for me, either. Everyone at Raven Forge doesn’t start till 9.30, and they will always get the time they need to be with their kids.
This morning, Caz joined me on the school run and we walked Izzy up together, all holding hands, chatting about our days on our way up to Silsden Primary School for the last time.
So, how am I feeling today? Emotional, sure. But mostly grateful. For the time I got with Max and Isabel in those early years when they were together on the school run, and for the time I got with Isabel over the last 2 years after Max went up to big school. When you’re a close-knit family, one-on-one time is scarce. To be able to spend about 40 minutes every single day with my daughter and instil in her some of the traits I think are most important has been a joy, an honour and a blessing.
I asked her about everything, school, friends and life. I got to have input and her actual respect, I'm not talking as a father, but as someone she trusts and listens to. I got to teach her to love walking, how to look after those we love, how to be focused and present, and to enjoy the silly things in life. In turn, she taught me to love nature, not in the way I already did. I love landscapes and hills; she taught me to love the little things. She would ask me about work, like really grill me on it, and life and friends and gossip. I can honestly say that when times were hard at work or in life, she honestly came up with ideas and points that made everything seem less bleak. In the same light, when we did something big or exciting or had a big win, she was always the first to congratulate me and to celebrate with me on the school run.
- Oh god, the sheer scope of change has just dawned on me. So, every morning my alarm goes off at 7am. I wake up, wake Max up, make 2 packed lunches, make coffee for Caz and Sarah and one for myself. I see Max out the door at 7.40 and wake Izzy up with a cup of tea, and then write for half an hour before Max and Izzy comes downstairs ready at 8.25 and we set off to school at 8.35.
Tomorrow morning brings the big change. I wake up... I guess, just whenever, and I don't need to make 2 packed lunches or wake my kids up or see them out the door at 7.40 and 8.35.
I'm going to feel so lost tomorrow. I really do try to roll with change, but I'm a creature of habit. It's fine, new routine in September, and I'm sure once tomorrow is done and behind me, the mornings will feel a new kind of normal till then.
Reflecting on the whole thing, I’m proud of my kids, immeasurably so, and as I write tonight, also proud of myself. It would have been really fucking easy to be swept up in all this wild life and business success, and to make excuses that I had to work more or didn’t have time to walk my kids. My company went from a little start-up in my living room to a pretty big company with 10 employees in just 5 years, and in that time, I walked my kids to and from school most days. I did that, where most people wouldn’t and for that, I am proud and grateful. Additionally I am also grateful for all of the support I got from my wife and brother.
So here I sit, in my yellow chair, writing on my laptop, feeling very emotional. Not because it’s over, but because it happened. I know it’s not all finished. I can’t wait to find out what’s next. But this time I had on these school runs, will always be very special to my heart.
What a lucky man, what a wonderful life.