A bittersweet day. As Michael AllioJames, reality TV star, sent his son to kindergarten. The reality TV star was feeling many emotions.
“And… I’m wrecked. James was so brave today. I couldn’t be more proud,” the Ohio native, 38, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, August 30, sharing photos from the 5-year-old’s first day of school. “I knew today would be heavy, but I had no idea it would be this bad. I think it’s because we’ve just been through so much together.”
Allio continued: “From the onset, we faced nothing but uncertainty and obstacles. Yet, through it all, we’ve proven to each other that we can persevere as long as we have each other. Life isn’t fair. We all know this. Our life is far from ‘normal.’ That much we understand.”
The Bachelorette Season 17 contestant James was previously welcomed by Laura Ritter-Allio in September 2016 as a couple. Unfortunately, Laura died two years later from breast cancer.
“There isn’t one way to pursue happiness. Just never stop trying,” the Bachelor in Paradise The season 8 star ended his Tuesday message by sharing a sweet note to his son. “We refuse to compare ourselves to others … because ‘normal is boring.’ Your mother would be so proud of you today. We love you so so much ❤️.”
Allio and James twinned in matching peach shirts outside their home before school started, though the kindergartner’s said “Normal is Boring” across the front. James proudly carried his backpack with dinosaurs inside it into school.
“My BOY!! Backpack game strong as hell,” fellow Bachelorette Alum Tre CooperComment on Tuesday Andrew SpencerJames was, for his part, already advocating for James to be a future class president.
After picking James up on Tuesday, Allio offered his followers a recap of the day’s events.
“He was incredibly brave this morning, way braver that I thought he’d ever be,” the business owner gushed via Instagram Story after previously “praying” James had a good day. “[I]Dropped him off at school. He walked. [him]In his presence [and]His beautiful cousin Maren was waiting for him to make certain everything was okay. What an angel. When it was time to leave, he began to get teary-eyed, but fought back the tears. [He]You were incredibly brave. Well done, champ.”
Allio continued: “When I came to go pick him up, you could tell that he was actually a little bit shook because he did not know how the transaction was going to go [with]The parent pickup was completed, but the teacher walked him out. I was fifth in line. The transaction went very smoothly. Teachers, congratulations! Well done, Dad and overall, I think that’s a worry that’s going to go away in the upcoming days as he gets more comfortable. … So, hopefully each day gets progressively better. Let’s hope.”
Allio further noted that James himself rated the day a six out of 10, which was an “above average” mark for his dad.
Allio rose to fame in his role as one of Katie Thurston’s season 17 suitors, however, he chose to leave the show early after realizing how difficult his absence was on James.
“It’s not something I wanted to do but as a parent, [it was an]It was an easy decision. I would do it a million times again, just like I did there without thinking twice,” he exclusively told Us Weekly His emotional departure occurred in July 2021. “I knew when I had to make that decision, that I was leaving an opportunity to pursue an amazing life with someone that I care about and finding that person is really difficult. And I think that’s kind of the conundrum parents and single parents always have [is] to balance time with someone that you love, like, your child and then you as an individual.”
Allio is ready to make a return to Bachelor Nation for season 8 BiPThe premiere of, will be next month.
Scroll below to see photos from James’ first day of kindergarten:
