This weekend was the beginning for me. A recognition that Katy is really heading to college next year; a long way from home. A REALLY long way from home. It seems like Andy just got back from his "Luther" visit in January of 2011. Somehow we've sped to 2014, and while Andy decided against Luther, Katy is more sure than ever that it is the place for her.
I can't disagree and I'm sure I will blog numerous times about the merits of my Alma Mater, but today is about the recognition that the next 8 months are going to fly by. If I'm really honest, it's only 5 and a half months before she heads out of "the nest," first to Calumet and then Luther.
The first time around (launching Andy), I was weepy from January on as I prepared myself, prematurely, to send my firstborn out into the world. By the time he actually graduated and headed off to work at Calumet for the summer and then into his dorm at UConn, I was alright. Granted he was 30 minutes down the road. We don't see much of him, but just knowing that if he needed us or we needed him, we could get him home in a matter of a lunch break, has made it easier than I expected. In fact, sometimes it's hard to believe he is halfway through his 3rd year!
This weekend when Katy was at Luther, I remembered how very far away it is. While we have family and friends nearby who will step in if she ever needs "family", visits from us will be few and far between, and I will mostly be able to "be there" via phone and internet. I won't be able to just drive over after work and take her out for lunch, or pick her up for a quick visit home.
I have no doubt that she is up to the challenge ~ She is far more independent than I remember being when I went off to college. She has connected already with professors, coaches, peers, and admissions counselors with no prompting or guidance from us. She knows where she wants to be and what she wants to do when she gets there. The only tricky part will be making choices about how she spends her time.
I'm not sad yet. We have months to go and I know that some of that time will be spent with her pushing us away; it's how it works. I'll be ready to send her off when it's time.
I'm envious of the experiences she has yet to have and while you couldn't pay me enough to revisit middle school or high school for a minute, I would go back to college any day!
Like her brother, she is growing into an amazing, passionate, thoughtful young person with the potential to change the world for the better. I'm looking forward to following her journey.
I can't disagree and I'm sure I will blog numerous times about the merits of my Alma Mater, but today is about the recognition that the next 8 months are going to fly by. If I'm really honest, it's only 5 and a half months before she heads out of "the nest," first to Calumet and then Luther.
The first time around (launching Andy), I was weepy from January on as I prepared myself, prematurely, to send my firstborn out into the world. By the time he actually graduated and headed off to work at Calumet for the summer and then into his dorm at UConn, I was alright. Granted he was 30 minutes down the road. We don't see much of him, but just knowing that if he needed us or we needed him, we could get him home in a matter of a lunch break, has made it easier than I expected. In fact, sometimes it's hard to believe he is halfway through his 3rd year!
This weekend when Katy was at Luther, I remembered how very far away it is. While we have family and friends nearby who will step in if she ever needs "family", visits from us will be few and far between, and I will mostly be able to "be there" via phone and internet. I won't be able to just drive over after work and take her out for lunch, or pick her up for a quick visit home.
I have no doubt that she is up to the challenge ~ She is far more independent than I remember being when I went off to college. She has connected already with professors, coaches, peers, and admissions counselors with no prompting or guidance from us. She knows where she wants to be and what she wants to do when she gets there. The only tricky part will be making choices about how she spends her time.
I'm not sad yet. We have months to go and I know that some of that time will be spent with her pushing us away; it's how it works. I'll be ready to send her off when it's time.
I'm envious of the experiences she has yet to have and while you couldn't pay me enough to revisit middle school or high school for a minute, I would go back to college any day!
Like her brother, she is growing into an amazing, passionate, thoughtful young person with the potential to change the world for the better. I'm looking forward to following her journey.
