I dug my son’s math textbook out of our bookshelf.

My son had tried to take the overdue book back to his high school before, but he ran into bad timing and there was no one there to hand the book to. Last year, he signed up for International Baccalaureate classes but decided last minute to enroll into the Running Start program at Highline College and thus had no need for the math book.

So days turned into months and finally this week, with a thick International Baccalaureate textbook in hand, I decided to turn it in myself. As I examined the pages to ensure everything was intact, I realized this was one of the last big items to check off my son’s to do list before his graduation.

My son’s senior year has been a sentimental journey, one of letting go of my eldest child and allowing him to make decisions for himself, even if they are not the choices I would have made for him.

But his journey through the public school system has also been hard work.

And while my senior has put in the effort to earn his high school degree, I couldn’t help but reflect on all the tears and sweat — painstaking buckets full — that I’ve put in too as a parent.

We parents have survived helping our children prepare themselves for what comes next in their academic career. Some of us have helped them fill out financial aid forms, alerted them to scholarship opportunities and helped them weigh various colleges or trade schools.

We have survived senior prom, called all the local tuxedo or dress shops to find out the best deals, ensured our children received nice haircuts and helped them with make-up.

We waited up late on the big night, hoping our limitless advice about designated drivers and not drinking underage would somehow sink in. We resisted the urge to constantly text our children, even though we watched the clock as the hours passed and hoped they were safe and having fun.

Some of us have helped our children try to earn extra credits so they could graduate on time, encouraged them to ask their teachers for extra credit or hovered over them to ensure they pulled that C to a B or a D to a C before the end of the year.

So, parents, as your senior walks down the aisle at the Tacoma Dome this Saturday, understand that your child might not be wearing that cap and gown (that you most likely ordered and purchased for them) without your guidance.

As our seniors throw their caps up, raise your arm too and give yourself a pat on the back.

Our seniors have earned it. We have earned it.

Next week, to recognize all graduating seniors in Federal Way, the Mirror will publish each one of their names in a special graduation issue. We will include photos of the graduation ceremonies and some information on particular students who received notable scholarships, etc.

We hope you will clip out this section as a keepsake for you and your child to look back on — for a job well done.