Taking my son to college orientation in Ames......which thankfully....is not under water.
I can tell he's excited......yesterday his roommate....a guy from South Dakota....sent him an email....today he got his dorm assignment (he's in an old all male building)......when we arrive......they'll do a counseling and orientation sessions and set up his classes.....plus we'll complete the other necessities to start life up there in August.
He sleeps in the dorm while we're there....I choose to sleep in some student union accomodations they're setting up for the parents....hell....I don't need much.....and I'd rather be on campus so I can walk around when I'm not scheduled for my parent sessions.
The campus is huge....one of those land grant colleges....where they gave a hunk of land to the state and said ...build ye a university....which they did.
You know....I always thought that by the time we reached the third child... all these life changes and milestones would get easier.....the letting go....the find your own life and happiness thing.....
but I swear my heart feels just as constricted tonight as when I first took my daughter to Ohio....it does not get easier....in fact....I think it gets harder....because you know....you really know.....they aren't yours anymore....and this is what all your work amounts to.....the gift to find their own way.
I think he'll fit well up in Iowa....he's got a Midwest corn boy attitude.....solid.....grounded.....calm....positive.....I think this university is a good fit for him. I worry about the challenges he'll face as a young adult up there....but....you just have to let go and hope he makes good decisions....or at least figues out when he's made bad ones.
Now......best find those cans of Starbuck double espressos I hid....and grab some CD;s...cause I know how driving trips go with teens......I get behind the wheel in the morning....and he'll fluff his pillow up and sleep till noon.
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