Your son leaves home, for the first time, and chooses to attend college.  Hello there dolly, is that an emotional experience!  Sure it’s a natural progression of life, but it’s filled with tears, waiting for calls, walking by the empty room, proud of the choice, nervous if all is going well, tears, and tears.  If you have been here, you know the process.

My how fast did that time go!!!!  We knew it would, like we talked about here, but really…WOW!

|Dating your spouse before the kids leave.|

Our oldest attended a community college for a year and just wasn’t in a good spot.  The college itself is small and a good chunk of the students are either online or working and going to school.  There were some other personal things going on (we just need to leave personal).  He felt he was at a crossroads in life and decided he would go away to school.  After the school was decided on, he had been looking at colleges for awhile, the packing and shopping began. Before you know it, we are taking him up to drop him off.

When we arrived on campus, the President of the college literally climbed into the back of our van to help unload his belongings.  How many people can say that?  Needless to say, we were impressed.  We got him set up, met the roommate and his family, participated in welcome weekend activities and said our goodbyes.

The drive home was R O U G H!  You know you will see your child again, but it’s your BABY!!!!

The first couple of weeks were the typical emotions of waiting to get updates………the house a little quitter……the fridge a little more full.

Thankfully, as time progressed, we fell into a new grove.  One of the main reasons we did was because he was so completely happy.  He had found his tribe.  There was a group of 4 girls and 4 guys that did everything together.   For spring break, the kids drove to visit the parents of several of the students.  We hosted them twice and what an amazing group of young adults.  They even brought flowers and a thank you card, signed by each one, on the return visit.

“This is what I have wanted my whole life.” he says.

He not only found a place to belong but a career field to study – Media and Cinema Communications.  He loves computers, music, and photography and this is a great program that allows him to use his talents.

The year was filled with tremendous blessings and about everything you could want for your child.

As our son was getting ready for the next year to begin, he found out he would not have enough aid to attend.  His heart was crushed.  His classes were picked out, he and his roommate were rooming together again, and everything seemed settled…except it wasn’t.  He would need to pack up and come home.

The realization that he couldn’t return was met with extreme disappointment but resolve.  He would coordinate with the college and the community college here to attend any remaining lower division classes. He got a part time job, is reviewing expenses to see what can get cut, applying for scholarships, and is looking for additional ways to make money.

This week is our son’s 21st birthday and what is his 21st birthday wish? 

To go back to college, be with his friends, and be on a campus he adores.  How can a parent find fault in that?  

If you would like to join in a birthday celebration for him, we are doing a 21 wishes campaign.  $21 for his 21st birthday to help him achieve his goal of returning to school.

<<<<<$21 WISHES – BIRTHDAY CONTRIBUTION>>>>>

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12New International Version (NIV) 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Thank you for reading his story, praying for his future, and/or any role you have played to help him achieve his dream!