I grew up as the child of two teachers.
Our family’s income was definitely limited, but our love and respect for education was infinite. We lived in a small city by the Mediterranean; Sour -Tyre, a place where every back-to-school season carried a sense of excitement and memories..
There was a staple bookstore and stationery shop in our city; Kain ~ Ka een ~ كاعين.
Now that I think about it, I find it ironic that I started my own stationery business—maybe this is where it all began.
When it was time to prepare for school, my parents would take us to that bookstore. We had a list of books to buy and a limited budget for supplies like pencils and calculators. Most of the time, we had to borrow used books, but I’ll never forget the smell of the laminate my dad would use to cover them and the meticulous process I got to observe as a child.
I’m not sure if I remember his steps because of how carefully he worked to create bubble-free covers or because of that distinctive smell the laminate released when separated from its wax backing—a smell that marked a new beginning.
….
Preparing for a new school year was a big part of our lives, and it still is, whether in our childhood or now, as parents.
As the anticipation of the upcoming school year builds, I find myself in that familiar space between excitement and nostalgia.
The house is buzzing with preparations—new shoes, fresh supplies, and the scent of freshly sharpened pencils. These days, it seems like everything has to be brand new, regardless of whether you can afford it or not. It’s a cultural shift __ driven by the desire to give our children every fresh opportunity.
But sometimes, I think we’ve forgotten that reusing, recycling, and appreciating what we already have can be the biggest lessons we pass on to our kids.
It feels like just yesterday when I had my two miracle babies, the twins. And it feels like the day before, when I was wearing a floral dress on my way to Novi to meet my firstborn child, Julia.
Today, I have three children going to school, each at different stages of life. In these moments of reflection, I think about the little ways I can remind them that, no matter what, they are surrounded by love and support.
It’s these little moments that count—the ones we share, smile through, and truly cherish. This reminds of my favorite pieces of stationery that I got to design: the “مع حبي” card, which means “With All My Love.”
This card is a blank canvas made of 100% cotton paper, with a small note at the bottom written in Arabic calligraphy. The words “with love” are foiled in gold or embossed, a reminder of the significance of love in our lives. The rest of the card is blank, waiting for you to pour out your heart and tell someone that you’re with them during this memorable time of year.
I designed this card with transitions in mind—those moments when we want to offer encouragement, a little comfort, or simply remind someone they are loved.
I can already picture the night before school starts—clothes laid out neatly for the morning, the hum of last-minute jitters filling the air. Before I close their backpacks one final time, I’ll slip one of these cards inside. It’s my way of being with them even when I’m not there, a little reminder that no matter what challenges or adventures come their way, they have my love with them.
Though the school year has yet to begin, I’m already feeling the mix of pride and sentimentality that comes with watching my children take on another year of growth and discovery. And as I prepare for that first morning drop-off, I know that the “مع حبي” cards will be one of the ways I continue to stay connected with them like laminated books connected me with my dad.
Truly, it’s these simple, meaningful gestures that leave the deepest impressions and remind us that love is always just a note away.
Memories don’t just come and go randomly; some of the most profound memories are those we create with intention. When my dad laminated our old or used books, he did it with conviction and intention—he wanted us to know that our future mattered to him.
Education was the best gift he could give us, and being present, surrounding us with his love, was the legacy he wanted to leave within us.
I’d love to hear your back-to-school stories from your childhood. Please share them in the comments below.
With all my love,
Farah
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