The day we moved Lucy out of her first college dorm after her first year of college is her story to tell. I’m sure she’ll write about it in her journals and keep it close to her heart. There were so many ups and downs this year, and it was a year full of growth for both of us. I do want to record my side of the move-out story today so I can keep my version close to my heart, too. It’s such a huge step not only for Lucy, but for us as her parents.
Moving Out of a College Dorm After the First Year
I made the journey up to Utah right as Lucy was finishing her college finals and got to greet her as she had triumphantly pulled all the loose ends of that year together. Phew, that was a year I tell you. I wrote more of my perspective from what I have gathered from her first year, how it felt to move her into college, and also how she invited me up for one special visit mid-year.
But it was almost as emotional to move her out, with so much learning and growth under her belt.
I must admit, we had to take a pretty huge sigh of relief when we emerged, triumphant from packing up that year of her life, our car filled to the brim with what had made that dorm a home.
I’m sure to any observer, I must have looked pretty silly heading up to Logan, trying to find suitable boxes for the move in the dumpster, my heart pounding with nervous energy.
I drove through the most gorgeous views, then arrived to greet my girl.
We worked so hard to pack up her life! Her room went from this:
To this:
To this in a matter of hours.
The Emotions of Packing Up a Year of Growth
All the while I was so emotional about it all. I wanted to record every detail in my heart of all the things we were taking apart, taking down, and packing up. Each meant so much to me as the mother of this triumphant girl.
- the string lights it took forever to hang
- the painting I had created for her
- the college notes and assignments
Lucy, on the other hand, just wanted to get that thing done.
So we did.
We had quite the trouble fitting her little chest freezer she bought in our car (I mean, you MUST have a freezer if you’re going to bake too much cookie dough to eat in one sitting, am I right?) But we got it all in.
As we made the drive back down into the valley, for a weekend filled up with gatherings and milestones, my heart was so full.
Full for the growth that comes in the process of letting go in parenting as well as the beauty of the gathering back up again.
More good things in store this summer for Lucy…if we can figure them all out. Everything is a bit more tricky in this journey to adulthood with Lucy and her vision loss.
But she’s doing it!
I know this is nothing compared to your sweet Lucy going off to college…. but my oldest is going off to her first girls camp. I was in YW but just got released. For so many reasons we have never really been apart. I genuinely know how silly it sounds to be worked up and nervous for her to go on her first camp. But I am. Your last few posts of been so very healing for my momma heart. Thank you sooo much! 🥰
Oh that first letting go is so hard, and I don’t think it’s silly at all to be nervous about it! That motherhood tethering is real! (I have written so much about that through the years and finally put it a bunch of my “letting go of kids” posts together here if you want to check them out: https://71toes.com/letting-kids-go-parenting/
Sending you both so much love as you grow and stretch from this experience away from each other, it really can be such a beautiful thing!
I think you should be so proud of Lucy, as much as you say you both struggled she did it. Lots of “ typical” kids don’t make it through their first year, so maybe it was better than expected.
Is she going back next year?
Oh I am so incredibly proud of this girl! And in awe of what she’s accomplished, not only this year, but in life in general. And you’re right, she did it!! It wasn’t easy and she went through it all and has come out even stronger. She inspires me every day. I hope that comes across in what I write.
Yes, she’s planning to go back next year!
XOXO
Well done to Lucy on er first year at college.
It sounds like it was an emotion week for you both.
What did Lucy study at college & will she be studying the same thing (s) when she goes back in August/September?
How did she cope with doing her own washing (laundry) & meals? Did she sometimes have a ready meal or have something to eat in the college?
I can really relate to Lucy with loneliness, as I’ve struggled to make friends ever since I was a child, especially in a group.
I hope Lucy gets to have a relaxing summer break & a nice holiday if she’s gong on one. x
Hi Julie! Good questions. Lucy is just doing general classes so far, not really sure what she will end up studying as a major. She will likely continue trying to figure out her biggest interests in her classes in the fall, and will continue on her required classes.
Lucy had a meal plan in the cafeteria which was really helpful since meals were already made for her. As far as laundry, she’s done her own laundry for years so that part wasn’t too bad for her. But even still, there’s an added element of trickiness when you can’t see the dials and buttons. By the end of the semester she got it down pretty well, but she facetimed me or her siblings to make sure she had the right settings probably every load of laundry she did, just to make sure.
I’m so sorry you have struggled with loneliness as well, and sending you so much love on over. Thank you for being my “cyber friend” for all these years. Sending you lots of love!
XOXO
Hi Shawni,
Thank you for your reply.
The meal plan sounds a great idea.
It’s great too that you have taught Lucy to do her own washing. (Laundry)
I know people in their 30’s & their Mum still does their washing. I started doing mine when I was about 15 & mainly washed my school uniform on a Saturday afternoon. (Most schools in the UK have a school uniform)
Have a lovely weekend. x
* Sorry about the spelling mistakes etc.
Lucy is amazing. And so is her mom! This blog has helped me SO much with my parenting journey over the years. Started reading 71 toes when I had no kids and now I have four 🙂 I am grateful for you! And congrats Lucy on your first year!!!! You did it!!!!
Kudos to Lucy and to you and Dave, too! I love the teamwork you all put into keeping your family rolling.
One bit of feedback on the blog; I love the new organization, but not the ads so much. They’re everywhere, and heavily imbedded into the blog posts. I’ll see 2-3 pictures and paragraphs, scroll past an ad, on repeat all the way through the post. All of those ads plus the ones on the side that start automatically, and the ones at the bottom, are very overwhelming. Any way to tone them down a bit?
I’ve ready your blog for many years and love the wisdom you impart, but the current layout is very disjointed.