There was a Christmas tradition we started when our girls were little. Every year, under the tree, there would be four things in particular for them:

One thing they needed.

One thing they wanted.

One thing to wear.

And one thing to read.

It was simple, intentional, and full of love. Those little gifts always felt like more than just presents…they were building blocks for their life, quiet reminders that they were cared for, seen, and provided for in every way.

And now, here we are. Not gathered around a Christmas tree this time, but standing on a college campus, dropping Abs off for her junior year.

I couldn’t help but think of that old tradition as we unloaded the car. One thing she needs… I pray she has what she needs to be strong, to be steady, to keep pressing forward when things feel heavy. One thing she wants… may her days be filled with moments that bring her joy, laughter, and the sweet kind of memories that only college years can bring. One thing to wear… may she always walk in confidence, clothed not only in her favorite outfits, but in grace, kindness, and courage. (“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25) One thing to read… may her books and lessons shape her mind, but may God’s Word continue to shape her heart. (“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105)

Our time with her is changing. Our role is shifting. The daily rhythms of meals around the table, loads of laundry, and all-day conversations are now exchanged for phone calls and text messages, quick visits, and long-distance love. But just because the days look different doesn’t mean the love is any less. Our lives are still interwoven with hers, stitched together by prayer, by memories, and by the kind of bond that distance cannot break.

We are doing the best we can…loving her, cheering her on, and covering her with prayer from a distance. And in a way, that old Christmas tradition carries on… because as parents, our hope remains the same…that she always has everything she needs, everything her heart desires, everything to carry her with confidence, and everything to keep her learning and growing.

College may be a new season, but our love for her remains the most constant gift of all. And even as she steps further into adulthood, I am reminded that she is still our girl…the one who made us parents, the one who made Christmas mornings brighter, the one who continues to make our hearts swell with pride.

So while we let go just a little more each year, we never stop holding on in the ways that matter most. Through prayer. Through love. Through the quiet hope that she will always know she is never walking alone.

Because at the end of the day, what we gave her at Christmas was never really about the gifts. It was about preparing her for moments like this…the stepping stones of life where she needs courage, wisdom, and love more than anything else. And my prayer is that as she unwraps this season of her life, she finds it overflowing with all of the things that truly matter.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

And maybe that’s the sweetest reminder of all: life doesn’t always come wrapped up in pretty paper or tied with a bow. Sometimes it looks like college campers, textbooks, and tearful goodbyes. But the Giver of every good gift is still the same…and He is faithful to provide, not just for Christmas mornings past, but for every season yet to come.