Ah, Natalie.
My daughter isn't what you'd call a light packer.
She always thinks of all the scenarios where she might need a certain item and decides, you know what, I'll bring it.
And that.
And that.
And THAT!
Which is why her pile to return to college looked like this:
She did not have this much when she came home for Winter Break. It grew. Why?
Well, it's finally getting cold in Texas, so she had to bring all her jackets. And she has several, thanks to Goodwill finds.
Then she has cute pajama sets, because she's in a communal bathroom and needs to be seen a matching ensemble. She has clothes she wears when she bloated. Dresses. Skirts. Shoes. Boots. Purses.
When we carried everything up to her dorm, it looked like this:
She insists she'll find space for it all. Thank goodness her roommate is understanding and knows how Natalie is.
I am going to miss her but I know she'll do amazing.
If you think Tommy is saying something encouraging or sweet, you are incorrect.
He was making sure she didn't want her leftover pizza. We had gone to Mod pizza to get energy before we moved her in. She didn't eat all her pizza and took the pieces to her dorm to have later. Tommy was making sure she truly wanted them. (She did.)
Tommy's college doesn't start until next week, and I'll move him in Wednesday. He has an orientation for his work study job Thursday and then he's acting in a short film Friday. So it'll be back to a quiet house.
But it's okay, because my daughter especially likes to pop back home when she's missing me. So I'll see them again soon.
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I loved your relatable and light-hearted look at moving back to college, seeing how Natalie thoughtfully packed for every scenario made me chuckle and brought back memories of my own college prep days. Your mix of humor and real-world family moments really captures how much personality and growth kids bring back with them after a break. Thanks for sharing this snapshot of life transitions that feels both sweet and grounded in everyday love and support.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet, relatable snapshot of college life, motherhood, and letting go with love.
ReplyDeleteIf our oldest went to college closer instead of many states away, I'm sure they'd be the same way! The pizza part had me cracking up LOL
ReplyDeleteWe use those packing bags as well. Always seems like my kids accumulate stuff! Fortunately my son stayed at a friends apartment and did not have to move a lot of stuff around. Who knows what will happen at the end of the year though!
ReplyDeleteha ha! my daughter is the same, and somehow the things she has seem to expand each time she moves back and forth between home and college :)
ReplyDeleteHa, I totally get the need to have matching pj sets when using the communal bathroom. My girls are the same and that's just at home. We've not made it to that stage yet. I'm guessing that pizza was good, good on Tommy to make sure it wasn't going to waste. Better luck next time hun, lol x
ReplyDeleteWOW, I remember those days with my kids, they amount of stuff they took back to college was crazy but all of it was needed as they would say.....lol
ReplyDeleteAww, that’s funny! I also thought Tommy was saying something encouraging, but I think the gesture is still sweet since they’re comfortable asking each other such candid questions.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, she found room for all her goodies. I tend to over pack on occasion. I never lived in the dorm so I don’t know what it’s like to live in one. But I do know they are usually very small.
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of things, but it was really messy. Need refer tap tap shots
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