Things are changing

It's Saturday morning and as I usually do on weekend mornings, I'm sitting on the deck, enjoying my first cup of coffee and the quiet.

Since Tuesday, it's been a little quieter than usual and instead of setting the dinner table for 5, it's only set for 4.

Our boy is starting his next stage in life away at college. He is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Florida Institute of Technology or Florida Tech for short, in Melbourne, Florida.

I feel lucky that he's only 2 hours away and he can come home whenever he likes. I'm sure once he gets used to college life and the freedom that comes with it, those initial visits will dwindle, as it should be.

It's an odd feeling for a mom, I'm so proud of him, so excited for what his future holds but also incredibly sad that he's not living under our roof anymore.

I haven't had a good cry yet, and I'm definitely a crier. But when it was time to say goodbye, I tried to be strong, knowing that he felt torn as well. We had a quiet, private moment before his sisters converged on him. Little sis was hugging him so hard and wouldn't let go, and that's when middle started tearing up which made me finally tear up and I thought for sure I'd lose it but I didn't. After one final hug we got in the car, drove around the loop and out the gate of his dorm community and then the skies opened for real.

It had been raining on and off all day, it's Florida after all, and when we got back on 95 to head home, it started pouring for real. I pretty much had to white-knuckle it all the way home. No time for tears.

Obligatory photo with Pete the panther at Panther Plaza before we hit the bookstore for some Florida Tech gear.

He's been in touch. I told him I wouldn't bug him, and let him take the lead. He texted and called me first. And hopefully, we'll have a nice phone call tomorrow.

He’s had a busy week with orientation and getting some things straightened out with registration and also realizing that hey, maybe sometimes mom is right after all when she says we should probably get some new pairs of shorts...