It goes by WAY to quickly.

I am sitting in a coffee house in Minnesota as I read this. I am a regular here and have gotten to know many of the baristas, who are mostly high school students.

But today, the manager is here and has filled in for many shifts, because it's prom time!

That sense of a "rite of passage" seems to dovetail with your post!

When our son graduated and we were driving him 200 miles to college, my wife cried the entire trip. She got over it, but I think it traumatized him. Now, years later, he works as an academic advisor at that same college. Who knows what lies ahead after high school?

I am going to be the empty nest victim big time.
When they turned teens things changed pretty big and I didn't take that well.
I told them that they need to do what they feel they need even tho I wasn't going to be happy with it.
I do encourage them to be them and try to let them know that I may be kind of bratty about some stuff but I also let them know to not let deter them from doing that stuff.
Yes, yes, yes time is an evil thief.

I relate to this so much
My son will graduate next year and the time is flying by ...it just sneaks up on you ...

Time is a thief especially when you have kids! I feel for you..

You must be so proud of him.
Wishing him lots of luck in his future decisions

It goes by fast

Indeed it is. 🥺

They grow up way too fast.