A New Moon

Cole is one week away from move-in day. Next Sunday we'll drive to our beloved Iowa City to unload his college gear at Hillcrest Dormitory–my old dorm and his big sister's old dorm. Is he ready? Are we ready?

I've noticed a certain maturity in Cole lately. Things like doing laundry without me prompting him, even if he mixes reds with whites. Or getting a replacement license on his own after losing his wallet. (We found this out after his new license came in the mail. In all fairness, he's had plenty of practice at replacing lost ones.) Or, reading books on his own. Sure, it's the Twilight series, but hey, it's reading.

We've somehow managed to celebrate the end of this era. It's almost like the high school graduation season that would never end. Since May there's been a virtual graduation ceremony, a live, socially-distanced ceremony, grad parties with lots of hand sanitizer, an impromptu prom, a last hurrah vacation with some fatherly mooning amidst a beautiful South Dakota backdrop, and a senior soccer sendoff allowing mothers to sport their cool soccer gear at least one more time while watching the boys battle it out with their buds on the field. Despite the pandemic, every single event has been a wonderful tribute to the kids we raised and the friendships they've cultivated.

There's not a parent who doesn't feel a gaping hole when they send their kids out into the world. I still feel that hole with our 23-year-old. But that hole is peppered with excitement about the future. Yes, there's a lot of yuck in the world right now. But I can't help but feel hopeful for our kids. They still see a giant, blank slate in front of them. If anything positive can be taken from this past year, perhaps it's the space and time that came from the screeching halt of activities. I know we all yearn for those activities. But perhaps it allowed some of our kids to do a bit of window gazing and deep thinking, when they weren't playing Clash Royale, of course.

Cole wants to start packing today.  He's also been having some very serious thoughts about the career he wants to pursue. A good sign. He's starting to truly think ahead! But he also wants to watch New Moon with me. Also a good sign. He's still living out some of his tween fantasies. You can't grow up all at once. You shouldn't grow up all at once. Or maybe ever. Perhaps we should all relive our tween fantasies once in a while. That would mean Charlie's Angels for me.

I completely expect to become immersed in nostalgia as soon as we walk through the doors of Cole's new digs and I smell the same weird, stale odor that greeted me in 1987. I clearly remember the blank slate before me. It was exciting, but terrifying. No matter what's happening in the world right now, I know it will be the same for our kids just starting out: a wonderfully, scary time. But more wonderful than scary.

So, ready or not... here we all go.

Last Thread of SoccerMomDom

there she goes

Last week Alex the Eldest took off for Denver to begin her life. Degree in hand, she'll be working at a swanky restaurant and freelancing her way into a journalism career. These are exciting times for her as Doug and I navigate our new parental role. Doug seemed to understand his responsibilities immediately. First things first: Get her off our car insurance. I felt a bit more unclear of my role. Could I still advise her how to dress? (As if she'd listen.) Should we be there to help her assemble her new IKEA furniture? Do we send all of her belongings to the new address? Or should we leave those few remnants of her youth to allow us some tearful nostalgic binges? These are important questions.

This week Cole the Youngest turned 18. In theory, he's an adult. In theory. He continues to live his life according to principles posited from the Marvel Universe. (Not the worst thing... "with great power comes great responsibility...") The only thing that really concerns me about Cole's age is the draft requirement. And getting into college. And sports injuries. And his focus on girls. Okay, so there are a few things that make me as nervous as a cup of coffee. Luckily for Cole, Alex is 600 miles away, so I can really help him through just about any matter in his life that I think he needs help with. Also, luckily for

Making a cupcake/college decision.
I don't dare show the actual video.

Cole, his father won't always let me do that. Damn, my hubby's too wise at times.

Doug and I had our 25th wedding anniversary this week. We didn't have to worry about the kids throwing us a silver-themed party. They hardly remembered to text! That's okay. I clearly remember the self-absorption of a young adult. Trying to understand your place in the world. Blending your skill with your passions. Narrowing down your passions! And of course, getting paid.

Cole's just really getting his feet wet in this way. He has a year to figure out where he wants to go to college and what he wants to major in. My purpose is clear here.  (Get into U of Iowa and become a doctor! Duh!) But what about my 22-year-old? I'm actually beginning to realize Alex still needs me. I've fielded a few amusing calls. She's a smart girl, but the W4 has her befuddled. And she's already lost her debit card once. And what pharmacy can she use? And her box spring will definitely not fit in the new place. I love it. Sure, the issues seem kind of trivial. But every time I see Alex's name pop up on my phone, I feel a wave of happiness. My time as a soccer mom might be fading, but my time as just a good ole' mom, always here, is as vivid as ever.