College and Testosterone

Last week, at this time, I was headed to Searcy to drop my youngest daughter off at college for the first time. I foolishly thought packing up her room and the van was going to be the hardest part. I was wrong! Moving her into her dorm was (almost) the hardest part. It was a challenge though!

First, we couldn't find her dorm. We drove all over campus trying, to no avail. There wasn't a sign visible from the parking lot, so we got out and walked all around the school. Once again, no dorm! We finally asked someone who looked like they might know and were pointed in the right direction. "Just go through this little alley and when you come out the other side turn left and go down the sidewalk about 30 feet (which felt like 5 miles at this point) and then it'll be on your right..." YEA! We finally found it. Turns out we were parked in the right spot the first time, we just didn't know it was down the alley... You would think we would of thought of that. (Note the sarcasm.)

Second, we had to move her in...up 5 flights of stairs to the 3rd floor. Yes I said 5 flights. Have you ever tried to carry a years worth of teenage girl stuff up 5 flights?! I don't recommend it at all! I have just one question: Why 5 flights to a 3rd floor room?! Maybe it just goes along with the alley to get to the dorm. But we finally got her moved in. Mostly...

Then, it was off to WalMart to get the things we didn't have room to put in the van. And we thought paying for tuition was going to be the most expensive part...silly us!

Unfortunately, we had to carry all that up to her room too. I'd just like to know what happened to all those boys that were supposed to be helping us move her in?! I think they saw all her things and ran away screaming! I wanted to. But we finally got her moved in and settled.

Lastly, we had to say goodbye. I can tell you that throughout the whole process of packing, driving to Searcy, hunting for her dorm, and finally moving her in, and unpacking I did well. I was proud of myself. I didn't cry at all. I even managed to laugh a time or two.

I didn't cry at all... that is until I turned around to see Zach, our youngest son, bawling like a baby. That is when I lost it. I wept. I realized that I was saying "goodbye" to my nightly walking partner, my sappy movie co-hort, my own personal comedian, my confidant, my best friend, my daughter. It was hard. But beyond that I am so proud of her! I am proud of her for following through on her dreams, for overcoming her own fears, and for seeking God's will for her life. She is an amazing young woman and I love her! I miss her! But I know that I have done all that I could do to prepare her to walk her own path now. And, despite the fact that I miss our nightly walks, her hugs, and beautiful smile, I am excited to see the woman she will become.

I just have one complaint...

I am now the only woman in my household. I am surronded by 4 boys. There is way too much testosterone and not enough estrogen and quite frankly my house is begining to smell! For the first time I am outnumbered. I'm thinking about getting a girl dog just to up my odds a bit. What do you think?!