250 Miles
That’s how far away The Boy will be when he goes off to college. Everything came together last week and his college plans are finalized. I’m happy that goes going to the college of his choice; but sad to see him making plans leave home. That’s about a 4 hour drive for me if I make good time; so we will be able to visit him periodically. But, it’s not the same as living at home. And, since The Girl usually has soccer games on weekends in the fall we won’t be visit him much at all. It could be “worse”. He could be going to college on the other side of the country and only come home over breaks. He’ll be able to come home for long weekends since he’s in easy driving distance.
I haven’t forgotten all of the positives. In today’s economy, college is very important. It doesn’t guarantee anything; but having a college degree is better than not having one. It gives him four more years to learn and grow without having to face the hard, unforgiving world in which we live. And, if he gets good grades, it can pave the way to a good first job after college. Plus, it’s a great reward for working so hard in high school. We often blog about how well the kids have done in sports. But they both know that high schools sports are just for fun. And that academic excellence is far more important than being a good athlete. I’m going to miss watching him compete when wrestling season is over. But I know that he will still be competing and excelling in the classroom.
Congratulations to you all. Now if he is really applying himself to his studies he wouldn’t have time to visit anyway. Did he get a scholarship?
You’ve given him roots, now he tries his wings.
I too remember “the excitement of leaving” was shortly replaced by the realization that I was on my own two feet and that mom was not just around the corner to help me out. Long distance cost a huge sum in thoes days. I remember phoning cross country for information on how to make gravy. Unlimited calling is so nice. You two will get through it.
On a different note, Has the girl used the cervical cancer vaccine?
It is difficlt to see them leave. But on the other time it is rewarding to know that you have done a good job in raising them and they are able to go to college.
Ours are all gone and are “on their own” – it’s great to know they are doing well and probably won’t have to come back home to live !
We enjoy your posts and your blog. We’re more than 10 years older than you and still enjoy an active sex life and both have a strong sex drive. It great to see that you enjoy each other.
Jill and Joe
Yep, its hard to let them go, but I know you both have done a great job of getting him ready!
Shame you can’t tell him about all of us wishing him luck!
Congrats to the boy on going to college. It will be a big change for him as well as parents. Our boys came home on the weekends during the fall freshman year. After that their trips home became less and less and the senior year we only saw them a couple of times but they stiil called home for more money…lol. OH, and moving him too and from college is a blast also…lol. Enjoy the week.
Four hours isn’t bad. That’s how far CB2 is from us. Glad to hear the boy got into the college of his choice. Makes it much easier on all concerned. Now, let’s hope he likes it once he’s there!
BTW, it gets very easy to get accustomed to not having them around. It’s very quiet and peaceful.
Rosie: Getting good grades are important; but there is always time for family. He has been an excellent student in high school; but he’s still been able to participate in sports and do things with his sister, his mother and me. And he did get an academic scholarship which is one of the reasons that we know the choice is for sure. I don’t mind him trying his wings but hope he doesn’t fly too far away.
Carolina Jim and Wife: He’s excited and apprehensive at the same time. I think all kids that have a good home life are that way. Cell phones with free roaming and free long distance make things easier.
California Girl and I are skeptical of new vaccines. Especially since you have no recourse if the cause a problem. So we’ll wait until there’s more of a performance history.
Jill: Just yesterday I was giving The Boy a pep talk about the season he and his teammates on the wresting team have been having. I think I do OK when I notice he’s droopy; but I don’t think he would call if a similar situation happened when he was away. So, I worry.
I don’t want for him to live at home until he’s in his 30s; but going from a house of four to three and then two will take some getting used to. It will be strange not hearing monsters growl as he plays games on the computer.
It will be nice to be able to spend more time with California Girl and not always be in a hurry; but right now, I’m not sure that I will ever consider times when there are only two or three of us the best ever.
DisappearingJohn: He has no idea about the immensity of what he’s done. A lot of kids are still trying to figure things out at this point in their senior year. I’m not saying that he can skate. But it’s a bigger load off his should than I think he realizes.
I wish I could tell him about you gouts wishing him luck too. I know I really appreciate it.
SirMike: Since he’s only four hours away, I expect that we will see him from time to time in his freshman year. But I wonder how long it will take before he finds “better” things to do on his breaks than come home. Except for eating, I expect him to be pretty frugal. He doesn’t have any idea how expensive food is. He’ll probably eat most of his spending money. So far as moving him in, I think our SUV is bigger than is room. (I don’t remember dorm rooms being that tiny when I was in college.) I just don’t look forward to carrying all his stuff up the stars.
Mr. Manic Depressive: I have a rule that I never sleep on the road if I can reasonably get home so it is it an eight hour round trip to bring him home. He a half-full sort of a person so I expect he’ll like it. And, I hate to say it but I don’t like the quiet.
Congrats to The Boy for getting a scholarship! I’m glad for you that he’s not too far away to visit.
Chickie: We are really are really proud of him! Scholarships don’t exactly grow on trees. (We do wish he was going somewhere closer to home.)
I just remember being so exhausted from all the visits and applications and tests and once the decision was made, we were all so relieved. Luckily, the second kid just decided to go to the same place! And then I moved there, too. Crazy, huh? 4 hrs isn’t too bad, and there are cell phones and e-mail to stay in touch. Congrats to all who worked so hard to get there.
RedheadEditor: The Boy was really focused on his first choice; so there weren’t a lot of other college visits or applications. We’re glad that everything worked out like he wanted because he didn’t really have much of a backup plan. He said he “knew” he was going to be accepted; but even assuming that he was correct, we still needed to be able to make things work financially. Thankfully, he got a scholarship and everything worked out.