Off To College: The Recap

                                        Getting There

                                        2:30 a.m. August 19

Mr. Fix-it picked the departure hour. MVP had been at a friend's party until midnight so he wasn't driving. I'd barely had any sleep myself so I was exhausted. But Mr. Fix-it still imagines himself as having the stamina of a 20 year old (plus he was recently medically diagnosed as being a stud), so 2:30 a.m. it was. The hours between 2:30 and 5:00 consisted of me blearily staring at him, fighting to keep myself awake so I could make sure he stayed awake. It's not a system I would recommend. His normal waking time is about 5:15  I was confident he was fine by then so I went to sleep, spending the better part of the day in that waking/dozing/crick in the neck/not enough leg room cycle of a long car trip. We rolled into Fort Collins at 10:30 p.m. local time, a mere 18 hours after setting out.    

                                    The Campus

    

The campus at CSU Fort Collins is incredible. It couldn't be more beautiful. The college and town look they came out of central casting for "picturesque college town."

                                         The Dorm Room

 

                    Check-in at the dorm which is oh-so-centrally located

    

Clockwise from top left: MVP wishing his mom would put the goddamn camera down. View from his window (the entire residence hall is incredibly open and airy), Desk (duh), Desktop featuring Wordle I created to remind him where he's from and where he's going.

Moving in and getting organized was a breeze as Mr. Fix-it and I are champions in this department. A blank space to organize? Excuse we while I . . . . never mind. We've never made a move that did not culminate with all pictures hung and it looking as they we'd live there forever within one week. We are from the "get 'er done" school of moving!

 

Creative effort of Mom who has been left alone in room because MVP someone forgot to pack the lock and no way am I leaving a $3,000 mountain bike unattended in a dorm room on move-in day.

                The Ease The Parents Into Letting Go Program

                                             RAMS ON PARADE  

An unphotographed highlight of this event was when Mr. Fix-it took out another father while going for a t-shirt that was shot into the crowd. MFI didn't see him and ran smack into him. Apparently the other guy was not amused and walked away muttering something about not being young anymore.

                                       The Last Supper 

 

         

                                             Dining al fresco

         

                                          Goofing al fresco     

MVP and best friend, The Runner. They became friends before kindergarten and stayed friends even when TR went to a private school and then moved to Chicago. They decided on CSU Fort Collins separately and are not rooming together. They're Mutt and Jeff, but love to do the same things--their idea of a great time is a 50 mile bike ride followed by a round of golf. It was great to hang out with TR and him mom for these couple of days.

                                         The Goodbye

                              He walks away, we drive away

                                       The Drive Home

We had planned on doing the Friday morning parent's programs, but then we got restless--so much to do at home (I start classes on Monday)--and really, we've been through all of this with Grown-up Girl and it was a lot of administrators reassuring helicopter parents they're kids would survive without them. That's so not us. So I canceled our Friday night hotel reservation, said goodbye to MVP outside his dorm Thursday night, and checked out of our hotel at 8:30 a.m. with the intent to drive as far as we can. My vote is for a stop in St. George, but knowing Mr. Fix-it we'll make it home in the wee hours of the morning. I'm typing this in Southern Colorado, so I'll let you know how it turns out!

*Okay, now we're nearing Vegas. I have clearly been drinking the Kool-Aid as I'm thinking, "Wow, only 5 hours to go."

                                   How Was It?

We had a fantastic time. There's something about knowing that you won't see each other for 3 months that makes every one behave super sweetly to one another.

Even when we had to make a late night trip to WalMart to buy items (ethernet cable, batteries, screwdrivers, camp chair plus the beater bike we bought from a pawn shop because a skateboard just wasn't enough for getting around town) that Mr. Fix-it had mentioned to MVP he might want to gather and pack from home, civility and kindness prevailed and there was very little I-Told-You-So.

There were no tears at all. Mr. Fix-it and I just feel lots of excitement for him to have the opportunity to be at a college that is perfect for him. We're both a wee bit envious (not of MVP, but of the the opportunity) of the great opportunity MVP is being given, which is one neither one of us ever had But hey, that's the way it works--you do the best you can for your kids. We're also pretty proud of ourselves for having raised a son that's done so well for himself and for being able to provide him with this opportunity.

We're sure MVP is going to do great. He's able to attend an out-of-state school because he received a tuition credit for his high GPA/SAT scores. Now the pressures on him to keep it up--if his semester grades drop below a 3.2 and he loses the tuition credit and has to come home. How's that for incentive?!

For me, sending him off to college has been like all the other "nexts" in my kids lives thus far. I'm so excited for them and so sure they're going to be so happy as the embark on whatever adventure awaits, that I'm really not sad. I'll always have my memories of their younger days and my pictures to remind me and now my blog to contain our stories; in the words of Helen Keller, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." I choose to look upon it as a daring adventure.

            Totally Random Things I Learned On This Trip

My cell phone has Internet access. I've had the phone since December and I just figured that out.

It is totally not satisfactory to read blogs on the screen of a Verizon EnV.

Just because we both like songs from the '70's doesn't MVP and I like the same songs from the '70's .

If you can enjoy each other's company trapped in a van for 36 out of 96 hours, you're probably good to stay married.

You can get a lot of blogging done in the car if your thoughtful husband gets an ac adaptor for the lighter. But only when the sun is not too high to in the sky.

Staring into the sun via viewfinder while taking pictures is a lot like staring at the sun (stupid and you should not do it; especially in the desert).

MFI and I can drive through Nevada twice in four days and never gamble.

Try for a signal at every bathroom stop--you might get lucky!

 

 

 

 

 

            

 

 

Comments

[JCK]

It sounds like the drop off couldn't have gone better. Do feel proud of how you've raised your boy. MVP is lucky. And how wonderful that you recognize all of this in its varied colors and subtleties.

Welcome home! Rest! Ha!

[Ms. Changes Pants While Driving]

colorady is GORGEOUS. i fancied myself in love with it for a while, but didn't have the balls to leave san diego.

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous state. especially if you lurve the outdoors. it's like a huge playground.

congrats to you. and good job on waiting to text!!

[kcinnova]

Thanks for sharing your journey. I drank the koolaid last month; I was the one behind the wheel and said, "Oh, it's only another 5 hours." Home at 1:30am.

Did the 3 of you build that loft bed, or was it already like that?

[heart shaped hedges]

I thought that was a WORDLE in the dorm room, how cute!

Oh...college life, should be fun, how exciting......

[Dr. Cason]

Jenn- I don't even know your little family and I was - no kidding - in tears looking at the back of him.

Just that one pic sent me over.

[Grumpy momma]

I am so happy for you and your kids, Jenn. What a great attutude, from all involved. I hope MVP has a great year!

[Suz]

This is great. I love the pictures and the campus DOES look beautiful. Colorado is a great place. How fabulous that he is reunited with his childhood friend...talk about full circle.
you have done great. Yes, we will do better than our parents. Just think what OUR kids will do with theirs.

[MamaMo]

College is such an exciting time!! I get giddy when I think of how wide open the world is to my stepkids who are now BOTH in college!!
I can relate - my husband and I love music from the 80's, just not the same music!
What's a "wordle"?!

[phd in yogurtry]

Beautiful campus and much to be said about dorms that look "airy."

And no tears? Wow, I am impressed! I guess having done this before, you are a pro at realizing you will survive. Life will go on. Congrats on MVP's test scores and tuition break.

[Memarie Lane]

Heck, I went to college and all I got was this lousy diploma. Oh wait, I didn't get a diploma either. :P

[gary]

aw, I just love the picture of mom and dad and their tall and healthy baby boy!

[Melissa]

That is a gorgeous campus--sounds like the send off went well and it'll be a fine year for all of you:) (But no gambling in Vegas? Wow!)

[Tina]

Jenn, I'm glad it went so well! And no tears? Really?

Love the picture of the three of you.

I'm having the Internet on my phone canceled. Too small to be useful.

[Fannie]

Oh brother, I'm a weeper. But I did MUCH better this year!

[MamaHenClucks]

No tears at all? Because the picture of him walking away almost made me cry. It sounds like you have done an amazing job with your son and his is lucky to have such a great opportunity.

And can I just say wow. That is a lot of time spent in the car. Wowza.

[gina]

I love , love, love when you post stuff like this- another glimpse into my not too near but soon enough future.

Funny, the tip DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN THROUGH YOUR VIEW FINDER . EVER. is in the companion manual I purchased for my new camera and now I'm glad I read it first. :)

[janet]

Glad you made it there and back again in one piece!

[Suzy]

Wow, it just makes me want to do college all over again. Your story brought up so many wonderful memories of leaving home!

[Mrs. G.]

Thanks for the preview!

[Lori]

That's a LONG car ride! I'm glad things went well though. And I'm glad you're not sad, I think that's a good thing.

[manager mom]

Aw. Congrats to MVP...to all of you!

He makes a fine Ram.

[The Girl Next Door]

Ok the theme here seems to be "I cannot believe you didn't cry!" And yeah i cried for you. We are just now starting to look at colleges - and I'm looking at losing both kids the same year. Darn twin thingy. We are starting to push high SAT scores in the hopes of scholarships!!
It's a great story and I truly envy you the great relationship with your Hubby that you could enjoy such a long trip together. I hope MVP has a great 4 years!

[Kellan]

Congratulations on your son and his arrival/acceptance at Colorado State - very cool! He is a very nice looking young man - he's going to have girls lined up at his dorm door. Great picture with his nice looking parents too!

Take care - Kellan

[shelia]

MVP looks a lot like you! How'd he get so tall? Very beautiful family you have!!!

[Manic Mommy]

Such a full post that I've got so many comments. I'll settle for an amen on giving your kids opportunities and loving the picture of the three of you. What part of the gene pool gave him the HEIGHT?

[Lisa]

That was so sweet--I'm even teary!

[Oliver Rain]

It looks like MVP had a great send off. My heart feels a bit heavy for you. I am totally putting myself in your shoes and imagining leaving Lizzie at univerisity 8 years from now.

[Limbic Resonance]

Wow. First, you must be so proud. Second, I know I have 17 years until this happens, but from your writing, I'm guessing it feels like 17 seconds. I never was much of a crier, but yeesh. Excuse me while I go get some tissues.

[thematically fickle]

I have come to this post three times now and haven't been able to bring myself to read it. The pictures alone make me cry. I know it's a rite of passage and it's what you're supposed to do as a parent---let go---but imagining how it has changed your life and how it will one day change mine just puts me over the edge. Don't worry if you don't cry too much; I'm doing enough for both of us.

;)

[Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy]

Holy Cow that's a long time in the car. Congrats to MVP. He's going to do great!

[Tammi]

What a nice trip and what a cool kid you have and he has some really awesome parents.

[Amy the Mom]

Catching up on all your backposts. Crying. I'm crying. My husband wants to know why. Can't possibly explain the reasons.

Beautiful pictures, beautiful family.

Where's the damn Kleenex?