Austen Leaves for College

On Sunday, we said yet another goodbye. This time it was to Austen as he begins his freshman year at the University of Illinois. After 18 1/2 years, it was time to let him go have as much fun as Tom and I did when we were freshmen at Big Ten universities. 

I hadn't let myself think about him leaving too much. Of course, I've been distracted with a few other things as we wound down his Senior Year and got ready for summer. That's certainly helped I think. Plus, not being in the house he basically grew up in and not having an empty chair or an empty room he used to occupy all helps too. Even when I pass the high school soccer team practicing after school, I don't get weepy. I think it's because I remember how much fun freshman year is and how every year I am so excited for all the freshmen embarking on their first year of college. 

I can't wait for him to have all of those experiences. That week before school started was so much fun because you didn't have to study or go to class. You were just meeting people and going to parties. And that's exactly what he's doing. Maybe he's thrown a little golf in there too...and working out, but that's primarily it according to his texts and brief (5-minute) phone call this week. 

The best text was the one I received at 12:40am that declared he was joining a fraternity (Tom and I were both Greek and support that if that's what he wants to do so no idea why he needed to text us that at that hour!). 

Putting together his "Beer Deer"

Of course, he was more than ready to go to college and that certainly made saying goodbye easier. And, he's rooming with one of his soccer teammates that he's known since he was in the first grade so that definitely helps too. He's only two hours away and we already have plans (football tickets/hotel) to visit him during family weekend in a few short weeks. Plus, I know he wants to get home (maybe for homecoming) to see a high school soccer game and get his new room situated so I'm sure we will have eyes on him a few times before Xmas break. 

Nevertheless, he's all moved into his Corner Deluxe Double in Bromley Hall. Complete with two fancy chairs that were a last minute purchase from Home Goods before we left (and would look great in my new house!). They have quite a bit of storage space, pretty good sized closets and a very old and gross looking bathroom (see he's going to want to come home to take a shower in his very nice, cool, new shower all on his own private third floor of our new house). 

He's ready though. Ready for a new school, new experiences and to find out a little more about who he is without us. I just hope he's getting all the partying out of his system and he gets some sleep before the first day of classes on Monday! 

The final product!

His bed all set up

The room

The "nice" chairs

A nice U of I post