This series contains adult language and depictions of graphic violence.

Listener discretion is advised.

Even though my kids here in California have been back in school for a few weeks now,

in New Jersey and in several, if not all, of the East Coast states,

public schools follow the traditional end of summer back to school schedule that hinges on the

Labor Day holiday long weekend. Growing up, my first day of school was always a Tuesday, the Tuesday after Labor Day.

From lunchboxes and Keds in elementary school to skateboards in parachute pants in middle

school, to jeans and flannel pants in middle school,

to jeans and flannel shirts in high school,

this time of year is so saturated with nostalgia

that it's honestly difficult to concentrate on work. especially now seeing all the kids I grew up with

posting first day of school photos of their kids. It's really a trip to see how time goes by and the only real difference seems to be the trends.

Otherwise it's the same.

In those photos, you can see the confidence of youth right alongside the anxiety, the hope, the innocence.

Man, if only we could switch perspectives and catch a glimpse of the parent taking the photo.

We'd see the disbelief and how fast the years have flown by

because it feels like only yesterday,

that that first day of 12th grade sign instead read first

day of kindergarten and this young adult with car keys in their hand was a toddler

proudly holding their lunchbox.

It's a stark reminder of the passage of time made all the more poignant by the power of social

media and its ability to get just the right photos in front of you at just the right time.

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