Oh yeah. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine.

Yup, you're going to cry when you drive away, and yup, you'll be fine.

Much as it contains all these mama tears, this is a beautiful time.

For me the second year was hardest, when I knew *exactly* how much I'd miss them.

That said, those phone calls/texts/Facetime moments, no matter how mundane, will feel like bliss.

(-: My daughter was in high school when I came to AW. She gave birth to her 3rd child in February. My, but life goes on.

I remember crying when we dropped her off for university in the great white north. I remember thinking a frigging bear would eat her as she made her way between dorm and classes (students periodically faced them, no kidding...along with other northern ontario wildlife). I remember thinking WHO WILL WATCH GILMORE GIRLS WITH ME WHILE WE MAKE SUPPER TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE.

I know your pain. Life changes. And then it changes. And then it changes again. I can promise you that you will get through this. This too shall pass. But I will also promise you that there will be days when you will want more than anything else in the world just to see her. Facetime with ice cream---you will thank me for that advice. She's in for an amazing experience. The rites of passage that our children experience are tremendous and tremendously difficult on them. For us, even as we step away bawling the pride outweighs the pain. You'll do this.

Oh, yeah. Was teary for a couple weeks after dropping child #1 at college. The worst was retraining myself to cook for four, not five. Took some getting used to. Of course, then he graduated, got a job, and moved back home while he saves up for a down payment because housing costs in this area are astronomical. Your nest may not be emptying as quickly as you think...

, Perks.

Somewhere in the last two weeks I became "Mom" instead of "Mama." Such a small thing, and still. Time is a relentless SOB.