- His wild bedhead on the morning of college move-in day.
- How his entire life fits snugly in the backseat.
- The cheerful balloons welcoming students at the campus entrance.
- The enthusiastic crew helping with the move-in process.
- A cloud that looks just like the whale from his childhood blanket.
- How young he appears.
- How mature he seems.
- Watching my partner beam with pride at how ready our son is.
- Saying goodbye next to a garbage bin.
- The way he strolls away as if we’ll see each other in a few hours.
- Climbing back into the car without him feels so wrong.
- Why is our house still intact?
- Realizing he “forgot” the care package I spent all afternoon preparing.
- This.
- The air feels both empty and suffocating.
- Going to bed without his presence.
- Waking up to an eerily quiet house.
- His bedroom door stands there, practically daring me to peek inside.
- Giving in to the temptation and standing in his room, wailing like a lost cat.
- The 47th stranger at the store finds me crying in the soda aisle and assures me it’ll be okay.
- His car is just sitting there.
- The overly enthusiastic friend suggesting how to decorate his room, like a gift-wrapping station.
- Trying to figure out what to do with my day without constant grocery runs.
- My partner’s excitement as he realizes our water bill is about to drop.
- Choking on my words when I order just four burgers at the drive-thru instead of our usual six.
- Staring at the tiniest laundry pile, wishing it were a mountain again.
- How ridiculously happy he looks in every picture.
This article was originally published on Sep. 7, 2016. For more insights into parenting and the journey of family building, check out this blog post. Also, consider visiting Make a Mom for top-notch resources on home insemination. For a comprehensive understanding of family-building options, Resolve.org is an excellent resource.
In summary, the bittersweet experience of dropping off a child at college is filled with emotional reminders of their growth and the changes that follow. It’s a mix of nostalgia, pride, and a hint of loneliness as parents navigate this new chapter.