My Sweet Things

My youngest. My baby. My Sweet Boy……Has left the nest! I expected more tears  to come flowing around this time but I have only had one melt down to date. A few Sunday’s ago, on our way to my oldest son’s house for a visit, I got teary eyed out of the blue and told my husband I was sad and the tears came streaming down my face. Visions of Andrew at birth, his drooling baby smile, the diapers to potty training, crawling to walking to running. First day of Kindergarten all the between years with soccer games and orchestra concerts, dances, dating, driving, High School graduation and now the next big step. I cried and wiped my tears and sighed because college was here and it was time for him to move on up and out on his own. Later that night I told Andrew that I cried a few tears for him that afternoon. He was like “why, I’m only like 20 minutes away, really 15 minutes the way I drive.” “And I will be home on the weekends.”….WHAT!! I said “Oh, no you won’t!” “We are paying for this opportunity and you WILL stay there and eat every dollar on your $1,200 meal plan card and sleep in your $2,700 room every night! I will see you at Thanksgiving!!” “Really Mom?” “Yes Really.”

Georgia Gwinnett College is the nation’s first four-year public college created in the 21st century, and the first four-year public college created in Georgia in more than 100 years! It opened with 120 juniors as its first students. This year they have over 5,000 students attending and they predict that in 2014 the enrollment will be up to 15,000 students. We discussed whether or not Andrew would live on campus since we live close by the college. Was it worth the extra expense? We all agreed it was. The opportunity to live on campus and be actively involved was important to us all. We are happy with Andrew’s choice and thrilled for him as he starts a new journey.

Wednesday was move in day and we played nice and followed the signs. When we arrived at the Dorm, we were instructed to wait in the car while Andrew went to pick up his room keys. We were ready to help him move in and instead, they had move in volunteers! Sweet. They had large containers on wheels and they unloaded our vehicles and followed Andrew to his room and unloaded all his things for him! We parked our cars around back and took the Trolley up to Dorm’s or I should say Resident living.

The Dorms are 3 different buildings and the boys are located on the first floor and the girls on the second floor. In between the buildings they have grassy courtyards.

Andrews Suite! They had name signs on the rooms. 4 bedroom suite with A, B, C, and D. I’ve XXX’d out his location, just to make it harder for the girls to find him! Did I mention the ratio is 80% girls to 20% boys. I asked Andrew if this would be a concern. “Uh, no Mom.”

The suite has two full baths and double sinks located outside the bedroom’s. It comes with a microwave and refrigerator with an ice-maker. Lot’s of cabinet space and a full pantry. The living room has a 42inch flat screen t.v. with AT&T U-verse with 200 channels, a DVR and a Blu-ray player. Yes. A Blu-ray Player!! Really now? I don’t have a Blu-ray Player! They have a large sofa, end table and coffee table, and a large arm chair.

The laundry room has high capacity washer and dryers that can be set to email you when your clothes are ready! The students have Claw Cards (The school Mascot is a Grizzly. Claws. Claw Card, enough said.) Anyhoo, they swipe the claw cards which act as ATM cards and they pay for the service. Remember those coin laundry days? No email system, although, back then I did not have a cell phone or a computer! The vending machines are well stocked. Hershey Chocolate. All set. Oh, Reece’s? Yes, please.

After Andrew was unpacked we headed out to the courtyard for a family BBQ! Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Coleslaw, and Cold Drinks. Oh, AND chocolate brownies.

That’s Rich up there. Andrew and Rich went to High School together and they are now roommates. Andrew received a GGC Inaugural Student 2010 T-Shirt when he turned in his checklist. See bottom left photo? Key to his room!

Dad saying goodbye, so long, farewell, see you at Thanksgiving!

Mom kissing him goodbye, so long, farewell, see you at Thanksgiving!

Andrew is hooked up and smiling. Sitting pretty as they say! Classes start on Monday. Let the games begin!

It’s all good. ~ Donna

P.S. We were watching t.v. earlier this evening and the door opens and I hear laughing. It’s Andrew. He came by to pick up some things. I say “Wait! “It’s NOT Thanksgiving!” And I smile and I am happy to see him and I tell him I am happy to see him and now he needs to go home. I’ll see him at Christmas.