Leaving the Nest

Full disclosure: I wrote this column for me, not you.

It’s therapy, I guess; perfect for a man who majored in journalism and has written all his life. You see, today we left with our baby girl to drop her off at college. (Wipes eyes).

Ole Miss to be precise. Oxford, Mississippi. It’s a beautiful town in the best division in college football. But I digress.

I know I’m going through what millions of dads go through when sending their first-born to college. How in the world did we already get to this point? Where did the time go? Weren’t we just beginning first grade?

What do you mean, “it’s over?”!

I was warned when Hadley turned nine. “We’ve reached halftime.”

What? Yeah, ok, but she’s only in fourth grade. She’s got time, just starting to hit her stride as a select soccer player and there are so many games ahead.

Yes there were. Amazing moments. Finishing third in the nation with Sting ECNL. Goals. Wins. Road trips. Hundreds of practices. Teammates.

This week I’ve seen a bunch of those teammates’ departures for college captured on social media. Georgia. St. Mary’s. Arkansas. Auburn. Brandeis. Missouri. Tennessee. Many more. I smiled at every one of the posts. And I cried. Again.

High school seemed like a blur, a lot of which I chalk up to Covid. Hadley’s time at Ursuline Academy seemed so fast. Along the way she made some great friends and picked up a State soccer title. Her graduation only a couple of months ago was beautiful.

The soccer is over. High school is in the rear view. It’s time to spread those wings and fly. New adventures await.

This is part of life, part of being a parent. I can accept that. Of course I can. I’ve already had my moments this week and it ain’t going to get any easier over the next 48 hours.

Many have commented about Hadley’s choice for college in Ole Miss. Most know how beautiful the campus is, how friendly the people are, and the traditions that run deep there. Several have asked me if I am disappointed that she didn’t follow in my footsteps and go to Texas A&M. I’m not disappointed; far from it, actually. I support her whole-heartedly. She wanted to “study in nursing at a southern school with a deep tradition in Greek life and football” (check). Hadley made her choice. I made mine in 1986 and it literally is who I am. This is a 40-year decision. I do look forward to rolling into Oxford on a game weekend and experiencing the Grove too. 

Perhaps the best part of the trip is that her brother Bobby is going with us. A new freshman at Jesuit, it was very important to him to be part of this. “I can miss a football practice and football picture day. This is too important. I have four years of football and other experiences in front of me at Jesuit.” Spoken like a true Man for Others and a loving brother.

I know Hadley will soar. She’ll find a new group of friends through sorority rush this next week. I know she’ll continue to grow as a young woman and have a successful college career (and a lot of fun). And of course this is not “the end.” It’s a huge life milestone and she’s got a lot of thoughts and fears herself. So say a prayer for Hadley and all of the kids being dropped off at college this month. This is their time. Fly high.

As you read this, I’m probably behind the wheel somewhere in Arkansas headed east with a two-car caravan packed for dorm life. With Kleenex. This is hard. Maybe it’s supposed to be hard. Otherwise, what were the last 18 years for? 

You’re not crying. I’m crying. And that’s ok. My baby girl is leaving the nest. She changed my life on St. Patrick’s Day in 2004 and I will never stop loving her. My heart is excited for her, even though it aches at the same time. 

Fight through. Hey, at least Buc-ees is on the way.

–HottyToddy–