Just got home from dropping our oldest daughter off in Kansas for college... Daddy was NOT ready for this at ALL!! Enjoy your kids while ya got em around and don't blink! Man, this sucks...

We were lucky that the youngest daughter was such trouble. Easy to leave her at college. Six months of having no stocked fridge, money upon request, clothes cleaned by her mom, and such as that, she became a much nicer person.

But yes, the first one was hard to let go of.

You're gonna be alright and she is gonna come home and see her daddy. Be thankful she wants to go. Leaving the nest is not as common as it once was. My youngest is 36 and all four went off to college.

My oldest brother was 19 years older than me. Mentally handicapped. My next oldest brother was over 11 years older than me. When my parents dropped me off at North Texas, they burned rubber leaving the parking lot.

And, if you think that sucks...wait 'til you walk her down the aisle. 'Doesn't matter if you like the guy. But, full disclosure - I have 3 sons-in-law and, I don't like any of them. 'Don't care much for the daughter-in-law either.

Been there Ben. It's tough for sure. Can be even tougher on the pocket book. Especially with out-of-state tuition.

I’m with Creekrunner. I have two SILs. I don’t dislike them. The older one is Ok. The younger one, well, he doesn’t get better with age. But, he did marry my troublesome daughter. After the wedding I told him “she’s your problem now”. He has brought that up a couple of times over the years.

When I went to college, my folks drove me over in the old Ford Falcon station wagon, with the whole mob (7 total). Helped me take my meager belongings up to the third floor, waved good bye and left me. I was clueless and moneyless. I might still be somewhat clueless.

Point is, ya gotta get them out of the house so they can become full grown people.

Next year for us….

It’s tough on you but remember it is tough on her as well.
Try to get back up there as often as you can and be ready for those calls when this all sinks in for her.
She is starting one of many adventures in her life and will need to advice of her daddy to help navigate everything life has in store for her.

You will always wonder if you did your best and said everything the way it should have been said. Sweet dreams.

They grow up way to quick!!!! Hold and love them every chance you can!!!!! Then they give you grandkids, and it all starts over again! Kids and grandkids, well gifts from the big man above! Enjoy while you can!

I was not expecting the feelings that came over me when I dropped off boy #1 in College Station. I was happy for him, but the sadness I felt seeing that my time was largely done was tough. When we dropped off #2 a year later it was “hurry up… your mom and I have to go.” 😀

Charlie

Yes, the wife boo-hoo'd all the way home when we dropped our son off in east Texas and a similar experience with the daughter in the Panhandle. Both graduated, are married, have children and live nearby in G-Town.

What school in KS?

The fun has jus begun.

She's playing volleyball at Cowley JUCO in Arkansas City

FaceTime has helped tremendously.

Good luck I know it is hard at first, surprise her and write her letters, text pics of family pets that will keep her engaged with you!

Love and adore both of my kiddos equally, different emotions for each one of them when they left.

It was really tough on me when our son Wyatt left for the Navy 5 years ago, we knew it was going to be tough to communicate with him overseas and he is not a big BSR anyways.

Dropped our daughter Victoria off for college in California 4 years ago and it was not as hard for my daughter loves talking to her mom and dad and still calls on a daily basis except the weekend.

I remember the day very well.
My oldest, my son, had moved away to attend college.
He was 19.
I realized that he would never live with his mother and I again.
Hit me like a truck.

It all turned out great. He’s a doctor now, with a family and grandkids for us.
But that day, it hurt.

When they come home and want to see/spend time with you, you did well.
They gotta step out and do their own thing as you did. It all works out.

I’ll be there soon. Daughter is going to be driving my son with her to high school this year. Seems like yesterday and I was in high school

I've been outta school 50 years. I swear these 50 passed faster than the 12 years of school!

Remember one thing: you think your kids are pretty smart until they start raising your grandkids.

That was a hard one for me too Ben.

I will find out on the 18th how it feels, we’re dropping our one and only kid off at Canyon for college.

Don't worry guys, if you raised them right, they'll always come home.

I said by to my son in 2009 & again in 2011 at the Fayetteville airport deploying to Afghanistan. Now that really sucked, Fortunately he came back whole.