Before you go...

You may not understand now..
but I can not believe we are to this point.

In one short month, you will be a Senior.

This #collegetour trip we took today made me quite aware of how fast your are growing up.

It's time to start making decisions.

Where do you want to go to college?

 What's your major going to be?

Do you want to stick around home for a few years?

or 

Are you ready to venture off on your own?

I'm good with either...really....really?

Today was just how I had pictured it to be.

Your dad and I driving you down to the cities.

The music cranked & you singing along to "our age" music.

I can't believe you know the tunes, "our tunes."

We realize you have great taste in music.

As we ride on...

You're in the back chatting with us about life!

Laughing at how fun life has been.

   At times, 

the converstions become serious,

 You opened up about some of the struggles you have had..

struggle we have endured throughout the years...

together.

We know your not perfect, but you must know.. your perfect to us.

 We thank you for bearing with us.

We were young & naive parents.

Almost the age you are now when we had you.

How is that even possible?

We tell you how being teenage parents was difficult, how we struggled..

how we never had the opportunities he has now.
However,
We make it clear, we would't change it in a million years.

On our way to hospital...Only 19 and 18 years old.

You smile and agree.

You thank us for being good parents & our hearts melt.

You remind us over and over again that "we are not that young!"

We all laugh..it's true, we are growing old..right along side you.

When we pull up to the college.

Your dad and I joke ..

We tell you that the admissions probably think we are here for the tour.

You shake your head in disagreement.

We quickly become "the embarrassing parents."

As we walk into the college.

I see young men and women.

You fit right in, looking just like them.

I quickly learn, we look like parents & you look like a man.

How did this happen?

The tour goes great and you LOVE IT.

You tell us that you hope your dreams of playing college golf here happen.

You "think" this is where you want to go.

Your sweet & caring personality quickly shines through.

You talk about the worry of private school tuition 

&

make it clear that if it's too much money, you will look elsewhere.

We thank you 

 but

 make it clear that we will make it happen if it's important to you. 

Whatever you decide, we have your back.
If that's right here in your hometown, 300 miles away, or states away..we Support you!

On the car ride home, I didn't want you to see ,but you did.

The tears just kept rolling down by face, as the station was playing all the wrong songs.

I should never have the country station on when I'm sad.

I text my close friends and share a picture of my current status:
Eyes swollen and red from crying.
They assure me, It will all be okay..

However, with the college folders reflecting in the windshield,

I couldn't turn away from reality that time is indeed ticking.

Your growing up and moving on.

I'm thankful we have another year together.

You're going to be a senior.

You quickly remind me of that as you see my tears,

"mom, it's okay..we have another whole year together."

Dad grabs my hand & the tears slow down.

I start thinking....

We have so much more to do before you go.

Thankful for our time...thankful for us...thankful for you!

Love,
MOM