The song is told from the perspective of the young girl, who ages as the tune progresses. During her coming-of-age story, listeners are brought into her world where she bickers with her mother, gets married, and eventually has children of her own.

Adkins’s baritone vocals and emotive performance made the sentimental tune one of country music’s enduring contemporary works. Its theme, which focuses on the art of being present, is driven home by real-life fatherly advice—advice we all could occasionally heed in our lives.

Adkins’s inspiration to record the song came from his five daughters: Tarah, Sarah, Mackenzie, Brianna, and Trinity. Though his daughters are all grown now, he maintains a close relationship with each of them.

The singer’s experience raising his daughters made him especially connected to the song’s story.

The chorus lyrics especially reveal its moral: Learn to ground oneself in the present moment because while the past can never be recovered, it can be remembered.

‘Cause you’re gonna miss this, you’re gonna want this back You’re gonna wish these days, hadn’t gone by so fast These are some good times, so take a good look around You may not know it now, but you’re gonna miss this