Memories // First Day of Co-op

I was homeschooled my entire life, so the beginning and end of school were kind of a fluid thing. People talk about memories from their first day of school, but I don't have that really. What I do have is a memory of my homeschool co-op starting.

Before the first day, I distinctly remember my mom sitting us all down at the kitchen table to talk about this co-op some friends were starting. Did we want to be a part of it? She explained the commitment and how it would work. It was a sunny afternoon and the sun was shining through the kitchen window. We enthusiastically said yes and it was one of the best decisions ever.

We started with seven families (if I counted everyone) and my most vivid memory from that first day is walking into the Gathering Room were our co-op days would start and seeing the back of a brown, curly head. "Mom! That's Olivia!"

One of the founding families had a girl who I'd become friends with through a homeschool art class. I was so excited to see her there!

Co-op was just about the best thing from homeschooling. It became my second home and some of the friends I made there I count among my dearest and closest friends; more like family. Every time we had to decide if we were coming back for the next semester, we said yes. We started asking Mom why she even asked and she'd say, "because the time I stop will be the time you don't want to go back!"

I'll always have wonderful memories of that time in my life, incredible friendships, and I know that the experiences there have shaped me in more ways than I probably know.

What major experiences shaped you as a child? Were you homeschooled and in a co-op? If not, what was your school experience like?

Blessings,
Sarah