I had been planning for this day all summer. Picking up items I thought he would need in the dorm. Of course, it was way more than he ever imagined but it was not that much other than basic needs stuff.
. . . and he is off!
It sure was weird to be going in two cars and that is when it sort of hit me that only one would be coming back! About 30 minutes from our house we hit torrential downpouring rain that was no fun. We desperately need the rain but it was dangerous driving conditions and our cars were slipping and sliding. I texted that we should pull over and let it pass but we pushed onward. The blue skies returned and we arrived in College Station with no problems! Move in day wasn't until tomorrow at 3pm . . . which wasn't ideal since it is August in Texas but with the drought we at least expected no rain.
Move-in day arrives and we show up around 3pm, find two parking spots near each other which was nice. Colin went to check in and get his room key. We went up to do a quick inspection of the room. It was a bit disappointing (only because I knew how much this room was costing me) that there were obvious signs of damage or poorly touched up paint. But the biggest issue was the AC was not on and the room was hotter than a sauna. It was awful . . . I immediately had Colin fill out a work order and I set off to find help! There was no way we could unload and set up in a room hotter than hell. First item was to find the fan and go buy more later. We cool off and ventured down to the car to start unloading and you know what happened; RAIN . . . lot of rain. We grabbed what we could, loaded the wagon and took off running for cover! Colin room is on the 5th floor and the only dorm with an elevator which was so nice!
Someone was working harder than the other person! We slowly got the first load unpacked and put away. Colin thought the whole process would take about an hour . . . silly boy! Colin's original dorm was about a 20 minute bike ride to the main campus to which I said absolutely no way! Just too far from where classes will be and not a typical on-campus dorm experience so I told him to log on when it opened and change to a room on main campus. He tried a lot . . . we both tried and one day a single room in the newest dorm opened up. I told him no matter what just pick one if it opened up and do it fast! And on the day we were sitting in Rudder Auditorium during new student conference this single room opened up. So while it is not ideal since he is in a room alone and he wanted a roommate it is a room near all his classes and all the action on campus. You know what is the best part of his room?
The view from his window which is where his desk is looking out at! That is Kyle Field in the distance. Colin made the comment that he had a great view for football game fly overs and I quickly said but you should be in the stadium to see that. We managed to get all his stuff from the car to room in two trips! And then we set out to pick up supplies we forgot or that he thought he needed but mainly another fan or two! Want to see the trash from the neighbors next door (4 girls and a cat)?
And just like that he was settled and ready to get the fun started at Howdy Week . . .
. . . which meant it was time for me to leave. HARDEST thing I have had to do as a parent . . . it was the best hug but also so heartbreaking too. There were tears . . . of joy, happiness, worry, sadness, hope, and love! I gave some words of advice and Colin said some of the sweetest things I have ever heard him tell me. There are so many times that I have felt like a bad parent or failure but as we chatted I realized that maybe he was going to be okay. It was just a very touching moment in Lot 30 for both of us. . . and then we both turned and went our separate ways. I drove the 96 miles back home, took a shower, and went to bed. Thankfully I had a few days before I had to return to school to adjust but man the house is so quiet and going to take time to get adjusted. And just as I was crawling into bed I got this . . .
. . . just what I needed on such a hard day!
