Two weeks ago, a friend and her fiancée welcomed the birth of their new baby boy. I witnessed the progression of her pregnancy from her first announcement to the tired look of satisfaction on her face as she cuddled her newborn from her hospital bed. What really resonated with me was the excitement on the face of her fiancée—he was “over the moon” as I observed and commented on her social media post.

Shortly after, I thumbed through some photos of my children in their infancy and throughout various stages of their young lives. Seeing new birth has that sort of effect. I think it’s the same of anything new or transitional. Think of the times you go to a graduation, a wedding, or see a teenager in a photo with their first car, these moments always seem to take us back. I even chalk up the start of every school year with the same regard. It’s as if I can smell my old elementary school classrooms again when I help my children pack their supplies for the first day.

In this issue, we look at some of these fresh starts. Whether adding a new pet, a new baby (p.12) or adjusting to a new body, we have you covered. And here’s a little fact to take to your next trivia night: If you feel like everyone’s birthday is in September, you’re probably right. According to a study in Reader’s Digest, “the week and a half between September 9 and September 20 contains nine of the top 10 birthdays in America, with the top three being 9/9, 9/19, and 9/12, respectively.” Crazy, right?

With that I hope you enjoy the issue, soak up the freshness of the start of fall—another new beginning—and take a stroll down memory lane as you encounter events and things that remind your favorite firsts. I’m sure there are plenty.