The tears caught me off guard. I didn’t expect to feel so emotional driving away after my first parents’ weekend at college. My son, Alex, is a sophomore now, but I missed last year’s event, which made this time together even more special. Since he won’t be home for Thanksgiving this year, I knew I might feel a sense of sadness, but honestly, I’m not one to cry easily.
When I dropped him off for his freshman year, I did have a moment of misty eyes during our goodbye, but I wasn’t the type of mom to linger by his closed door or weep in his tidy, empty room. I was genuinely thrilled for him; he was exactly where he belonged. Our conversations revealed a happy young man, making friends, excelling in classes, and enjoying sports like soccer and tennis. How could I shed tears knowing he was thriving? I didn’t—I was simply too delighted that he found his ideal school.
That’s not to say I didn’t miss him. I did. The house felt unusually quiet, even with my daughter, Mia, filling it with laughter and kitchen dance parties. Dinner conversations were quieter without him, and I went a bit overboard at the grocery store. Nevertheless, I took comfort in knowing we had raised him to be independent and ambitious. He was out there pursuing his dreams.
This year, however, I didn’t foresee the emotional shift. I didn’t anticipate the heartache when he had too much homework to meet on Sunday. I hadn’t prepared for the tears that welled up as we drove away. Leaving a piece of my heart behind in Connecticut felt much heavier this time.
Seeing him on Friday filled my heart with joy as I embraced him. Our weekend was delightful—we sat by the water, indulged in lobster and ice cream, took leisurely walks, and watched various a cappella groups perform. I even found myself at Target, eager to buy him everything under the sun, though he really only needed a few essentials.
Alex has been busy growing up at school, without me by his side. And he’s doing an incredible job. I couldn’t be prouder of him; he is engaged in everything right, just as he was last year. Yet, when it was time to say goodbye, I found myself in tears. I choked up multiple times on the drive home, and even now, as I write this, I can feel the emotions welling up again.
Who would have thought? It appears I’ve become that mom after all.
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In summary, sending my son off to college has been an emotional journey. While I was initially confident in his independence, this year has brought a new wave of feelings as I realize just how much I miss him. The connection we share remains strong, even as he forges his own path in the world.