Here is a peaceful sunset photo, because I don’t have many stress-filled pictures. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

I recently posted a few absolutely adorable pictures of my child going off to college. You know, the type of photo where she sits on her bed waiting to fill her space with her memories and a minivan full of necessities.

I didn’t show the heat index and amount of water weight I lost by waiting in line for a wristband and laundry cart. There were easily over 100 other parents and students in various stages of organized chaos. I was so hot that I almost cried when I noticed I’d forgotten my water bottle in our car parked blocks away, but I couldn’t spare the moisture. I wish I had thought to set up a water bottle station across the street and take advantage of other parents as they maneuvered the concrete desert. I could have retired on my cold water profits — a thought for my future self.

The photos didn’t capture the griping as we masked up in an elevator. It didn’t do justice to my inability to put together a simple metal storage cart while we finger-pointed and eye-rolled. It doesn’t show me debating whether it would be social ruin for my kid if I actually took a shower fully clothed in the dorm or, at the least, drank water from the showerhead. I did neither.

This isn’t unique to our family move in experiences. My son’s recent apartment shift had me double-parking while leaving his valuables on a street corner near the dumpster. We then slid his belongings down a narrow ramp past a woodchuck trap while someone else caught the box before it launched into the railing of the neighbor’s “patio.” (I’ve lived in some pretty sketchy places. My kids are fine.) The photo of him and his girlfriend did not contain the stress of a long drive and construction.

Life is full of different emotions. It is more than just a quick snapshot to let your friends and relatives remain up-to-date and to send care packages. (Care packages to me, of course.) It’s wonderful to post only the best days and the best moments. It’s wonderful to share what we love and what we think is important. Not many people really want to see the strife. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but keep in mind a few of those words are probably not suitable for polite company. Keep sharing and caring.