- His tousled hair when he woke up on the morning of departure.
- The way all his belongings fit snugly into the car.
- The cheerful balloons welcoming students at the campus entrance.
- The enthusiastic crew helping with the move-in process.
- A cloud resembling the whale from his childhood blanket.
- How youthful he appears.
- Yet, how mature he looks at the same time.
- The proud smile on your partner’s face, pleased with how prepared your son seems.
- Saying farewell near a dumpster.
- Watching him walk away as if you’ll see him again shortly.
- Returning to the car without the full family unit.
- How can the house still be standing?
- Realizing he “forgot” the box of snacks you spent hours preparing.
- That moment of realizing he’s truly gone.
- The air feels both heavy and eerily empty.
- Falling asleep without him there.
- Waking up in a quiet house.
- His bedroom door, standing there, almost challenging you to peek inside.
- Giving in to that challenge and standing in his room, feeling like a lost alley cat.
- The 47th stranger in the supermarket finding you in tears by the soda aisle, reassuring you that you’ll be okay.
- His car is parked, untouched.
- The well-meaning friend suggesting ideas for his room, like a gift-wrapping station.
- Pondering how to fill your day now that you’re not running to the grocery store constantly.
- Your partner’s excitement over the expected reduction in the water bill.
- Stumbling over your words at the drive-thru, now ordering just four burgers instead of the usual six.
- Staring at the tiny laundry pile, yearning for the overflowing mountain of clothes.
- The undeniable happiness radiating from him in those photos.
This article highlights the bittersweet emotions of dropping off your child at college, a transition that brings both pride and sadness. The journey of parenting evolves, and while it’s tough to let go, it’s also a moment filled with joy for new beginnings.
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In summary, the experience of leaving a child at college can stir a whirlpool of feelings, from nostalgia to pride, reflecting the complex journey of parenthood.