38 Thoughts I Had When I Dropped My Son off at College

There were two things in my life that I was NOT prepared for- the arrival of my son Tanner, and well, his departure. You would think that 18 years would be enough time for you to prepare for your child to leave you, but I don't think any amount of time would do.

And all those times you told yourself, and even them at times, that you couldn't wait for them to leave? Yeah, you'll soon forget all those and wish for just one more day, one more hour; even a second more of their time.

But that's just it; it is their time, their time to go off into the world and do all the things you never did, have all the things you never had and make their mark on this world better than you did or ever will.

That's all I've ever wanted for my son his entire life, to have a better one than I did. Now it's time for me to let go and watch him make that better life for himself.  Before I finally watched him walk up those stairs into his dorm, like the day I watched him walk through the doors of Chanhassen Elementary School on his first day of kindergarten, there were so many thoughts as I had as I prepared to let my baby go.

Here are 38 out of the million of them that went racing through my head on moving day:

1. I'm so proud of him
2. He definitely got his smarts from me.
3. Oh thank god, there's people here to help...and with carts.
4. I wonder if I'll impress everyone when I can pick up that mini fridge by myself.
5. Wow, this dorm is nicer than my house.
6. I don't care what he says, I'm taking thousands of photos.
7. Ugh, I don't want to embarrass the poor kid.
8. Wait, I'm his mother, it's my job to embarrass him.
9. I wonder if his roommate will be cute?
10. Where is the damn bathroom in this place?
11. They still have to share bathrooms in these places?
12. Ummm...why are there girls moving in across the hall?
13. This is a coed dorm? Can't they at least put them on separate floors?
14. Oooh, yes, they offer free condoms here.
15. I think I have something in my eye...
16. Should I "the talk" with him before I leave? You know, about morals and values?
17. Please don't let him screw this up.
18. He's been through more in his 18 years of life before this; he's going to be fine.
19. It's a good thing I made him work for everything he has.
20. Is he totally just crapping his pants right now?
21. This is so overwhelming, and I'm not even talking about my urge to cry.
22. Don't cry.
23. I sure do look good in maroon and gold...ooh and this is a small?
24. Wait, how much is this going to cost...the shirt and his education.
25. Dear Minnesota Vikings, please give him a job next week.
26. Thank god for my parents, for being close and helping him fund this next chapter.
27. If he joins a frat, please let it be one with a good reputation.
28. Oh god, please don't let him get hazed to death...literally.
29. Is this when I remind him that "no means no?" He's knows better, right?
30. How could anyone become a victim of "Freshman 15" here? You walk everywhere.
31. Does this mean I can remove the car insurance off his car? Saves him $130.
32. Money he'll probably spend on alcohol and late night pizzas.
33. Oooh maybe this means he won't ask me for any?
34. While you still have some, buy him one more thing to show him you care.
35. Should I walk him up to his dorm room when I leave?
36. No, no. Give him space, keep it short, NO recording him walking away.
37. You did it.
38. I should've worn a cuter outfit.

Tanner specifically asked that I don't take pictures but I was able to get a few, so here are some of what I was able to get from the big day.