Son:
I had meticulously packed my belongings and reminisced about cherished moments with friends the night prior. Under the glow of a streetlamp in the familiar yet stifling suburb I yearned to leave for a new life in New York City, we exchanged heartfelt hugs and promises to stay in touch. I recognized this marked the beginning of the end of something I had once held dear, yet I embraced the change without fear. Those tears shed with friends were the extent of my sentimentality.
Mom:
I took one final tour of his bedroom to ensure nothing was forgotten. He had promised to handle it, but some maternal instincts are hard to shake. Normally, finding anything in my youngest son’s room was a challenge—not due to its small size but rather the chaotic mess of clothes, books, and various lost items scattered throughout. However, on our departure day for his college 1,500 miles away, the room was surprisingly tidy. All that remained were the usual collection of dirty glasses, empty snack wrappers, and the dog’s bed—minus the dog. He had hoped his pup would stay with him one last night, but after an emotional farewell to friends, sleep was elusive. As a distraction, we made a spontaneous trip to a 24-hour Walmart at 1 a.m. for something he needed. I can’t recall what it was; it didn’t matter. We were in motion, which kept us from overthinking.
Son:
The next morning, standing in the doorway of my childhood room, I hoped for a sense of closure but felt mostly numb. Turning off the light felt oddly significant. Saying goodbye to my dog, who had been by my side since I was five, was strange yet surprisingly easy. I pondered why that was. My parents and I drove to the airport, my mom filling the silence with chatter.
Mom:
At the airport, he chose a tuna salad sandwich for breakfast—how did he find the only one available at 6 a.m.? I engaged in small talk while my husband, who had wisely gone to bed early, shared his playful dad jokes. We were both trying to keep the mood light. But Nick was our last child at home, and we were feeling the weight of that reality.
Son:
We moved through security and boarded the plane. I absorbed my dad’s quiet smile and my mother’s animated conversation, realizing that silence can convey just as much as words. I sensed the difficulty my parents faced as they prepared to say goodbye to their youngest son. It was palpable as we landed and carried my belongings to my dorm, and even more so when we parted in the parking lot the following day.
Mom:
After all the packing, unpacking, and settling in, it was time for my husband and me to leave. I had become somewhat accustomed to this routine, having helped our oldest son move into his college dorm twice before. But this time, there was no family nearby, no one to say, “Come for dinner.” I was preparing to do what no mother envisions: walk away—fly away, actually. How could I leave this boy, who had brought me endless joy and whom I nurtured a little less every year as he prepared for independence? I handed him a coin engraved with a lucky clover, instructing him to keep it close for support during tough times. Our eyes met, and I glimpsed a glimmer in his—was it a tear? I couldn’t tell until he embraced me for a hug, followed by his father. I expressed my love and belief in him, hoping he heard me clearly.
Son:
It was at that moment I realized the weight of the goodbye. I hadn’t anticipated it being so challenging, as I was excited about school. In retrospect, saying farewell to my dog, my room, and my friends had also been hard. And then, just like that, my parents were gone. Or was it I who had left? I felt a pang of guilt, realizing I had left everyone behind and didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the moment until I turned away and heard their car depart.
Mom:
As we drove away, we caught a final glimpse of the boy he was and the first look at the man he was about to become. A lifetime of love—my hope is he knows it’s everlasting.
Son:
It took time, but I eventually understood that the initial ease of saying goodbye stemmed from knowing that nothing is truly lost. My parents, my dog, my room, and my friends will always remain in my thoughts and heart. If I felt that way, I knew they did too. With that realization, the goodbye became less daunting, and I stopped questioning why it had been difficult.
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Keyphrase: College departure reflections
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