I guess I should start at the beginning. Deuce and I spent Monday and Tuesday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at his college orientation. I was nervous. Will he like it? Will he be happy? Will he eat alone in his dorm room every night?
My first born who is quiet and introspective, who doesn't mind being alone and who was once described by a schoolmate as "the guy who doesn't talk" has eased my concern. Not totally, mind you, because I am, after all, still his mother, but to a great degree.
How did he manage, you ask?
By ditching me completely for two days straight so that he could sit, eat, rock climb, walk to Publix to see if they had a deck of cards (they didn't) and go back out again for ice cream with his new friends. And I couldn't have been happier.
Oh, I suffered in silence in my hotel room, with nothing but room service, a hot shower, Dexter, and utter peace and quiet to console me. No big deal. I was fine with it.
I won't lie. It was emotional when they played a slide show of campus life with I'm Glad You Came playing in the background. There were some tears when the Dean of the Honors College (love him!) shared the story of taking his oldest son to school for the first time. There were moments when they were talking about safety and schedules and housing for sophomore year (!!) when I had to fight the urge to say, "He's not ready!" and take him home.
But he is. He is ready and I am so excited for him and grateful for the time I've had him home with me and sad that it's already time to go. As we drove out of town and I listened to him talk about his schedule and the people he met and renting a bike vs. bringing a car, I couldn't help thinking that the next time I leave Tuscaloosa it will be too quiet. He won't be with us.
And even if he's really and truly ready, I'm not sure I ever will be. Let's see if I can fake it.
Roll Tide!
Tweet
It's funny how we are prepared for the emotions when we see them getting on the bus for the first day of school, but surprised by the emotions when leaving home. In a few years he will have grown up so much that the boy you left will be a man you are proud of.
ReplyDeleteOh geez, I'm all misty eyed over my coffee over here. Going to give my oldest an extra big hug when she finally gets out of bed. At least I still have 7 years to smother her!
ReplyDeleteOur youngest was the one who got homesick at camp and wouldn't really spend the night at a friend's house. As college time approached, I got very nervous about how she would handle being away from home.
ReplyDeleteHer university had a special message board and chat room for freshmen once they had registered for classes. She made two fast friends on through that before she ever got to campus. (One of them she even recognized from quite a ways away when we first got there & they ran & hugged when they first met in real life.) I don't think she was homesick for one second and took to college like a duck to water.
Good thing. It's where she met the man she is marrying next Saturday. The two first college friends will be there. One of her college roommates who is now a pastry chef is making her cake. Two other friends are bridesmaids.
College is a whole new level of life. Before college, I really did wonder if she would live with us forever.