First year move-in day

Today is the day Andrew and I became empty-nesters, at least during the school calendar.  We are so excited that Thomas applied and was accepted to participate in a leadership program that is for the next two days.  What an amazing opportunity for him to meet a smaller group of people, who probably share some of his same passions!  We are so grateful that he took it upon himself to apply and was accepted!

I remember when Robert left four years ago.  As we dropped him at the motel and said our goodbyes, I cried.  I wasn't sad that he was leaving, but I was sad it had all been so hard, and I think I was crying tears of relief more than anything else.  Also, I kind of felt like I was supposed to cry.

Catherine leaving was so, so hard.  Once Robert left, our family of four had so much fun together, and life was so wonderful.  We made these incredible memories together.  And then of course, we had all that bonding time during the pandemic, and then she began having seizures which made me worry even more.  When Catherine left, it felt like she was "breaking up" our fun.  It was hard on me to have Thomas be home alone so very much.  Those two felt like a pair, and it was just hard with only one home.

Today, I was so excited for Thomas.  This opportunity to go early and to meet a small group, it was exactly what I thought he needed.  Andrew was insistent we could do this in one car, and by some miracle everything fit in my CR-V!  He is on the fourth floor, but the door from the parking lot is already on the second floor, so that helped tremendously.  It only took three trips in, and then Thomas wanted to unpack while Andrew and I went and spent our life savings for "last minute" items.  We then took him to lunch, which I'm so grateful we did.  We took him back to the dorm, and said our goodbyes, and watched him walk into his dorm.  Andrew was so very emotional, but I'm grateful none of us actually cried.  He's only about 75 minutes away, and he's ready.

I chatted with Andrew a bit on the drive home, and all was fine...until I walked in at home.  Oh my goodness, my heart could have broken.  There was just something about realizing this was it.  My baby will spend the bulk of his time, with only a few days of visiting here and there, at school.  This is the goal of parenting...so they can fly on their own.  It sure did happen fast though.  It's incredibly quiet around here, but life is full of so many blessings!