One hour outside of Ann Arbor, we were met with a thunderstorm with an epic downpour of rain. Nicholas was at the wheel when the showers broke out, and conditions quickly deteriorated. He pulled over, and I could not help but feel that this was an ominous start to the trip. Kathleen took over the driving, and the showers slowly dissipated, making driving much more manageable. We reached Erie, PA around 1145, where we had booked a hotel for the night.
The next day, we set off on the remaining four hour drive to Syracuse so we could get there in time for a noon move-in at the dorm. We were greated at Day Hall by upperclasmen students who helped direct us and Nicholas' belongings to the right place.
His roommate was already in the room with his mom, and it was nice to meet them both. Turns out his roommate is also a soccer fan and a Barca fan to boot! He and Nicholas had a chance to briefly talk and we proceeded to unpack his belongings and get him settled in. From there, Nicholas had a few orientation events on his own, and we headed to the hotel to check in.
Later that night, we picked him up and headed to dinner downtown.
After picking up a few more items at Target, we dropped him off at his dorm room for the night. Outside the hall, we could hear a few students chatting it up. As we left, Nicholas stepped outside, too, and introduced himself.
The next day, we met up for the Newhouse School's welcome event, including a parents' session. Nicholas met us there that morning, looking a little tired. He explained that the kids on his floor were up much of the night, making it difficult for him to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning. Eventually though, he was able to fall asleep.
Realizing that there were still many events for him to attend over the next few days and that time spent with us would be an opportunity cost to immersing himself into his new home, we let him know we planned to leave later that day, a few days earlier than planned. He expressed understanding, and we headed to the school store to pick up some swag and earplugs!
After lunch in the dining hall near his dorm, we walked him back to the dorm. We said goodbye outside the dorm and both Kathleen and I gave him a big hug. Then, Nicholas headed back to the dorm while we watched him go inside. He did not turn around and look back at us. If he had, I think all of us would have felt even more sad and even more tears may have been shed.
Kathleen and I walked down the hill and back to our car, remarking upon the amazing boy we brought into this world and the journey we have been on with him as parents. This is not the end of Nicholas' story with us. Rather, it is the next chapter in what we both hope will be a very fulfilling life.
Parenthood is hard, but it feels much easier when one realizes that one's children's needs and desires come first. We will be okay as long as Nicholas feels okay and is achieving his dreams, even if it means he is no longer under our roof. As the great poet Naomi Shihab Nye wrote, "this is what is supposed to happen."
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