move-in day

"You know you have made the right decision when there is peace in your heart."

Welp, we spent the day Saturday getting No. 1 all moved into her dorm room at college.

 

We set our alarms, woke up at the buttcrack of Dawn, then started our two-hour journey, bleary-eyed yet thankful for the warm cup of Starbucks.  When we drove up College Street, we were amazed at how organized the upperclassmen were as they handled the onslaught of over-packed cars loaded to the hilt with bags, baskets, boxes, nervous parents and anxious, overwhelmed freshmen. 

 

One especially cheery-faced girl met us at our car and directed us as to what to do.  In no time flat, we had her clothes hung up in the closet and had her bed in place and made up with its comfy foam topper and clean, new sheets, blankets, and pillows.

 

 

Is this great or what?!

 

We grabbed lunch at Chick-Fil-A, checked out the cafeteria, met the mailroom lady, figured out how to open her post office box, and then went to the gathering where we prayed with the school's president, heard encouragement from an upperclassman to "get involved," and learned the Fight Song.  We then went to Mass and were grateful to stop and worship God for the amazing blessings, too many to count, and then we dropped my sweet firstborn back off just in time to give her a big squeezy hug, a kiss, and a reassuring word:

"ohmygoshIloveyousooooomuchyou'regonnahavethebesttimeeverandI'msojealous!"

before she and her roommate headed off to join the others for a Class of 2017 photo. 

 

I read on Facebook about other mom friends who were also taking their sons or daughters to college and how many tears they shed.  Although I did get a little misty-eyed, I must admit that I have not (yet) bawled.  I have no qualms in stating the fact that the decision for her to go to this particular college was God-directed.  And, because I know how much fun college is, I am certain she will completely enjoy it.  I also am reassured by the fact that she chose to go through sorority rush so that she can meet new people.  The cherry on top is that her childhood priest is a few blocks away, the pastor of an incredible parish and gorgeous, cathedral-esque church.  A Latin Mass even! 

 

So, even though I bought extra stock in Kleenex, and warned everyone I am going to be a basket case, I have reserved the right to cry as much as I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.  But, so far so good.  Everything is right about it, much glory and praise to God!  And I am peaceful.