By Chiara Sottile, Weekend TODAY
Do you remember the first time you felt the crunch of sand under your toes? How about your first swim lesson – did you flop, flounder and swear you just lacked the appropriate buoyancy? This edition of TODAY's Life Illustrated documents "firsts" of all sorts: those that are sporty and scrapbook-worthy, life-changing and ripe for bragging. These are the stories worth telling over and over to the grandkids.
Submit your own photos to TODAY's Life Illustrated series, and they could appear on our Sunday show as well as online! And if it's your first time submitting photos, have no fear: the simple instructions for uploading them are at this link.
"This is my first child/son, Jackson Grant, being showcased to my family for the first time at Hackensack University Medical Center. I love this picture for so many reasons. The raw emotion of the moment when this little miracle arrived and [was] put on display; my sister, mother, father-in-law, brother, etc. all with pure happiness pouring from their faces. And a slight but noticeable reflection of me, new dad, shaking, trying to keep the camera still while I captured the definitive moment of my life." - Adam Berberich
"This is a picture of my 8-year-old son Nick (Berlin #30) as he runs for his first touchdown ever in his football 'career.' His opponent from Vernon is giving everything he has to catch him." -Lynn Melville
Jane Deschak submitted this photo of her and her children parasailing together. She wrote that the trio had an "awesome time" and were glad to cross parasailing off their "bucket list."
"Madelynne's first time seeing the ocean!" - Beth Wood
"My wife captured this moment of our daughter's first time in our pool. Big brother is along to show her how it's done. It was pure joy." - David Calarie
"My wife's two siblings took her for her first trip ever to NYC for her 60th birthday July, 2011. Here's a pic of them from atop 30 Rock. They went to the Weekend Today show Sat. and Sun., and my wife Sylvia got her picture taken with Lester Holt." Joseph Condon sent in this photo of his wife, Sylvia. Thanks to all, especially pictured siblings Tony and Jeanne, for making The TODAY Show part of your New York City experience!
Chiara Sottile is a news associate at Weekend TODAY and a multimedia journalist.
