This past weekend I dropped McKay off to college. Both McKay and I have been looking forward to this time...I have been very excited for him to begin this new journey of his life...so it came as a surprise when tears sprung from my eyes when I woke him up Saturday morning...
What is up with that? The thought of sleep filled nights, not being privy to all of his choices and doings only brings me smiles...But as Saturday progressed and as the trip was made to Long Beach, and a dorm room put together, I found the moment to be bittersweet...I watched him Saturday embrace his new environment, his new friends and roommate and his new school...and I realized he looked really happy...and that made me very happy...but I also knew that his smile, his sense of humor, his stubbornness, and his presence would also leave a hole at home...
For the record...Long Beach States Men's Volleyball team ROCKS...why?...we had stuffed the suburban full of ALL things McKay would need for his dorm and college life...an email was sent out from the coach for all players to be at the dorms to help unload and carry all the things of the new freshman recruits...I was seriously sceptical if any would show...to my surprise MANY showed and the unloading happened in ONE trip...yep...how awesome is that??? A BIG thank you to McKay's teammates! I was so impressed!
Smart boys, using a small flat bed to drive car full to dorm which in turn made the trip into the dorm room short...
I could tell right off that dorm life is going to be a change but I believe a lot of fun...McKay is in a suite of 4 rooms, each room has 2 boys, 7 of those boys are on the volleyball team...4 freshman, I think 2 sophomores and a transfer...the eighth boy plays in the school band(trombone player, I think?)...the rooms are tiny and there is NO air conditioning (it was so hot!)...but whether they got lucky or there was an athlete connection they are located RIGHT by the laundry room and dining hall, score!...
Cooling off in front of the fan...
Dorm mates and Teammates...
McKay's home for the next 9 months...
When I left Saturday night McKay and new teammates were dressing up in different attire to go support the Women's volleyball team at their first home match...mmm...no comment, haha...
The boy in the orange shorts is McKay's new roommate, all of them are the 4 new freshmen additions to the Long Beach State volleyball team and all very tall...this was their outfits for the women's volleyball match, missing from photo is McKay's superman cape...yep.
Last night we decided as a family to bring McKay his last home cooked meal in awhile...his siblings also wanted to see where their brother was going to be residing this next year...when I told McKay this I told him we would NOT make a habit of this, just dropping by, or would we????...ha...regardless, he seemed very happy with the dinner and treats...
In front of McKay's dorm, bringing him his treats...
So my dear son...here's to starting something new...to new friendships...to new memories...we love you much and wish you the best of everything...and when you are feeling the need to come back to your roots, the bed might have been claimed by another :), the door though will always be open...GO BEACH!!! :)
Saying goodbye for now...
Holy Cow! How could you not cry at that beautiful sight!!! I may or may not have just shed a tear just reading this post! Good luck McKay! You will be awesome! You are ALL awesome!
ReplyDeleteHe has grown up so fast. It seems like just yesterday he was telling me what marsupials are and showing off his sweet dance moves in front of Rio Claro Drive. I'm not ready for this phase yet, Michelle. We don't have them very long, do we? What a special moment for McKay. We love him very much and hope that college is everything he's hoping for ... and more! Hugs ...
ReplyDeleteweren't you just getting a call that mckay clogged the toilets at school?! weren't we just at the park with all of these rugrats?! what is happening. I'm feeling aged all of a sudden. this wedding is getting to me, so this college thing (I know) is getting to you. I cried with and for you. I wish mckay all the best. it really is such a fun time, and he has such a wonderful family that he can always fall back on. you are the best.
ReplyDeleteOH MY, LOOK AT ALL THOSE GOOD-LOOKING HUNKS. I GUESS IT'S ALRIGHT TO DREAM ABOUT THOSE GOOD OLD COLLEGE DAYS. WHAT A TEAM. AND HOW GREAT TO BE THERE TO HELP MOM. IT IS NOT EASY TO SAY GOOD-BYE, IT IS NEVER THE SAME. I CAN SEE YOU HAVE A LOVING FAMILY, MCKAY. AND ADD GRANDPA AND GRANDMA'S NAME TO YOUR FAN LIST. HAVE A GREAT YEAR---WE LOVE YOU. I NEED AN ADDRESS--TREATS COULD BE ON THERE WAY. LOVE, GRANDMA C
ReplyDeletehow exciting for mckay!! hes coming to have so much fun.. im so bummed longbeach isn't coming up here this year but maybe i can talk my parents into letting me come home that weekend and watch that game :)
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