The Drop Off

Wednesday morning, we woke very early to finish packing the car, and then to drive Kayla to the dorm.  The trip was pleasant, just Tom, Kayla and myself.  Tyler and Brittany both had their first day of 9th and 8th grade, and neither wanted to miss the first day of school.  Not that there would have been room in the car, anyhow.  So, I made the kids a pot of coffee, wrote them a nice note with a reminder to take their own "first day of school" pictures, and off we went.

When we arrived, the parking spaces around the dorm were busy with parents and kids unloading the "stuff" that freshmen bring to their dorm.  We borrowed a big laundry cart, transferred the "stuff" into it, and off we went into her room.  The dorm room was tiny, much like a jail cell.  Both beds were lofted with a desk under each.  Kayla seemed surprisingly overwhelmed at the thought of finding room for all of the "stuff" she brought, so, we stayed and helped her until each item had a new home.  I was happy and excited up until this point, when that thought hit me, "This is not just the 'stuff's' new home, it is Kayla's new home." 

We walked outside to say our goodbyes, and that's when the tears began to flow.  Kayla said, "Thank you for raising me."  I just hugged her.  I felt foolish walking back to my car with my eyes watering so much.  It felt like I was the only one crying, everybody else seemed to be fine. 

Well, we went to have a nice relaxing lunch at Olive Garden, and I had time to figure out why I was crying.  I am not sad that she is at college, I am happy about that.  I am crying more because this is a milestone event in our lives, marking the time between "being a kid and living at home" and "being an adult who has moved away from home."  Things just feel different now.  And, the way I am, I cry when I'm happy.