The Weekend It Started to Feel Real

Happy Wednesday, Friends! 🤍
I wanted to share something personal today as I sit here with the fireplace on, reflecting on the last few days.

This past weekend, my daughter’s future college roommate and her mom came to visit us for the first time. They made such a long trip just to spend a few days with us since we had an extra day off from school. From the moment they arrived, I had a feeling it was going to be a good fit.

We stayed up late chatting, scrolling through dorm room inspiration, and adding things to our carts. We talked about dorm colors, bedding, storage, and all the little details that somehow already feel big as this next chapter begins. Then the conversation shifted to sororities and rush week.
Side note: I clearly need a book on this part. Listening to them talk about what they were excited about, what they were nervous about, and what they hoped college would look like made everything feel even more real.

On one evening, the girls sat on the floor beside us, making a sign for their future dorm room.
“See you in Oxford.”

Watching them work on it together, laughing, planning, imagining their lives there, made me smile quietly to myself.

Of course, we didn’t pass up the chance to visit The Container Store. We walked up and down the aisles picking out bins, hooks, and organizers for a room they’ll soon call home. If you’ve never been to this store, go. We grabbed lunch afterward and did a little more shopping for outfits to wear for our upcoming Ole Miss visit. It felt like the perfect girls’ day.

And then it hit me.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, it became very real.

I’ve spent my whole life being a hands-on mom. Staying home. Raising my kids. Building my days and my identity around them. For so long, they needed me all the time. For everything.

This part feels different.

The hands that once reached for mine without thinking are slowly loosening their grip. And even though this is exactly what I want for her and what I have been working toward, it doesn’t make it any easier.

This weekend reminded me that two things can be true at the same time. I can feel both the ache of letting go and the joy of watching her step forward. I can miss who she was and feel deeply proud of who she’s becoming. No one really prepares you for this part. The leaving-the-nest part.

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A weekend of dorm shopping and things started to feel real.

One of the unexpected gifts of the weekend was getting to know her roommate’s mom. While the girls connected so naturally, she and I did too. I felt grateful for the chance to start building a relationship with the woman who will also be part of my daughter’s life. It was comforting in a way I didn’t know I needed. A quiet reminder that she won’t be walking into this next chapter alone, and neither will I.

After a three-day weekend full of memories, we said our goodbyes to our new friends, knowing we’re one step closer to August.
One step closer to Oxford.
One step closer to a season that will stretch me in ways I’m still learning to name.

I’m trying to sit with it all.
The excitement.
The sadness.
The gratitude.
And the beginning of a new chapter for both of us.

Thank you for being here. I have this along with some other essays on my Substack page.

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