The worst part of graduating high school: no more mom-made lunches.

Having your parents make a lunch for you to bring to high school may be embarrassing in other parts of the world, but in Japan it’s relatively common. Sure, sometimes having your mom make your lunch can have downsides, but it can also help the parent and child grow closer too.

And since February/March is graduation season in Japan, with some seniors’ classes ending around this time in late January, now is when a lot of homemade bento lunches to come to an end.

Some seniors posted photos of their final parent-made bentos on Twitter, showing off their (mostly) mother’s magnum opus: (translations below)

https://twitter.com/mariechan_9/status/956115496188825601

“Today was the last day of my mom waking me up and making my kyaraben for me.

They were always fully loaded with characters and miniatures or themed for school events, and I admired how expressive and creative she was.

I love my amazing, wonderful mother.
Thank you so much for these three years.”

https://twitter.com/ichigo_kazuryu/status/956516448569929728

“My last high school bento made by my mom.
Thank you for the tasty, cute bentos every day. They always made me so happy.”

https://twitter.com/FAmico_0420/status/955289194485628930

“My last high school bento.
I heard my mom and little sister working on it in the kitchen last night, but I never expected something this high quality lol.”

https://twitter.com/suzu_anc2/status/956376554585563136

“My mom usually just throws my bento together, but since today was my last one, we made it together last night.
I know it was a lot of work for her to make them for three years, but they were delicious every day.
My mom taught me so much… I’ll do my best even after I graduate.”

https://twitter.com/NbShunsuke/status/956140562800766978

“There was a note from my mom in my final high school bento.
Mom, thank you so much for waking up early and making them for me every single day.

I was so moved by her letter.

I’ll still ask for your bento in the future, mom!”

The note reads:

“Dear Shun,

How’s your last bento?
It makes me a little sad to think I won’t make them for you anymore.

But if you ever want one again, I’ll still make it for you! 
Make the most of the little time you have left in high school.

-Mom”

▼ It wasn’t all moms, though!
Here’s one note and bento from a father.

“Today was my last bento.
There were all of my favorite foods in it,
and it was so good, I loved it.
And a surprise? From my dad.
The first time I can remember ever getting a letter.
I was alone, so of course I cried lol.
Thanks for everything, dad.”

▼ There were also a few parents who posted the photos themselves,
sharing memories of making their kids’ bentos.

https://twitter.com/nakka122/status/955909937971867651

“Good morning!
This is the last bento I’ll be making for my second son.
Thank you for telling me how much you liked them, every day for three years, never missing a day.
The requests were: meat
Three-colored-toppings on rice
Sweet and sour chicken
Chicken wings
Pork-wrapped cheese
Boiled hijiki
Broccoli
Mini tomato”

“Today was my son’s last high school bento. I’m so happy that, for three years, you always ate everything, never leaving so much as a grain of rice. This morning my son woke up, bowed to me, and said, ‘So today’s the last high school bento, isn’t it? Thank you for making them all three years.’ I was so surprised. I cried when he went back to his room. Thank you too, so much.”

Well if all that didn’t get you right in the feels, then I don’t know what will.

Perhaps it will just take another serving of final high school bentos? Or, if you’re a particularly hungry customer, thirds?

Source: My Game News Flash
Featured image: Twitter/@ichigo_kazuryu