08/21/2026
Back from the dreaded college drop-off… and I have to say, it actually went REALLY, really well. 🥹
Benjamin’s room turned out great (and was thankfully much bigger than anticipated!). It took us HOURS to put everything together, but he was pretty psyched about it when we were finally done. He even told us later that some of the kids on his floor came in and were totally wowed by it, so obviously I’m taking that as a parenting win. 😂
There were a LOT of meetings and things he had to do, which meant there was also a lot of downtime where I was basically sitting around waiting for him like a pathetic ex-girlfriend. 😂 So I decided to make the most of it and take a little walk down memory lane — drove past my old senior-year house and, of course, stopped at Hope’s Cookies for my favorite treats. ❤️
When it was finally time to say goodbye, I think we were both ready to let go. He gave me such a big hug that I almost lost my balance, and I know I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. 🥹
But then I watched him walk into his dorm, and something surprised me…
I felt more pride and excitement than sadness. More of a sense of achievement than worry.
I just spent 18 years preparing this boy to become an adult — and he’s ready. ❤️
I definitely shed some tears on the way home, but they were mostly because I was saying goodbye to a chapter of my life that I have absolutely LOVED living.
Now I can’t wait to hear all the stories, adventures, mistakes, successes and everything in between as he figures out who he is and what he wants to do with this life.
Go get ’em, kid. ❤️ I couldn’t be more proud of you.
