May 1st is an important day for a college-bound high school senior like my son. It’s known as National College Decision Day – or more commonly referred to as “Commitment Day.” This is the deadline to choose what college they’ll attend in the fall.
Just days before this deadline, my son committed to a college. Deposit submitted. Housing application complete. Medical forms uploaded. Orientation Day scheduled. He is officially college-bound.
It feels like we just went on our first college campus visit. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing and how fast it got here. How is my son college-bound? Gulp. This is really happening. He is really going. He’ll be living on a college campus in just about three months. I’m thoroughly excited for him and proud of him!
But, between us, I have to ask a question. When can I start talking about why I’m going to miss my college-bound son?
Now, you say? OK, cool. I think so too. Cause I got things to say!
I will miss hearing his hardy laughter coming from the basement when he plays online games with friends – even if it’s at 4 a.m.
I will miss my house resembling a scene from the movie “Signs,” with all the 1/2 empty water bottles all over the place.
I will miss it when he interrupts my Zoom calls by throwing a blanket over my head.
I will miss sending him a text from within the house and having him answer in person.
I will miss the thumping up and down the stairs and walking the hallways, making it sound like he has anvils as feet.
I will miss walking into my bedroom and randomly catching him napping in my bed.
I will miss witnessing his daily interactions with his father and both of them denying that they are nothing alike.
I will miss being together for family celebrations and milestones like his birthday, my birthday, Mother’s Day, etc.
I will miss hearing him practice the piano. Even if it is after many minutes of nagging, listening to his talent awes me.
I will miss simply knowing that he is here, safe and sound, under the same roof as me, his dad, and his sister.
I will miss his smile and his laugh. And the special way that he can make me laugh and smile. My son is the only one who can always do that.
Most of all, I’ll just miss him—his presence in our everyday life as a little family of four.
