Well, it’s that time of year again. The time that college parents dread, move in day. (Well, some of us dread it anyway.) That’s this Saturday for our family. It’s not like this is our first rodeo, we’ve done it before. I have a 20 (nearly 21) year old that lives in Mobile full time and visits when she can. This will be Christian’s second year of college. So, somebody tell me, when does this get easier? When will I quit standing at the window watching the car pull out of the driveway? I have even been known to stand at the edge of the yard and watch the taillights until I can’t see them anymore. I know, I know I am pathetic.   When will I quit getting a lump in my throat when we talk about packing up and dropping him off? How long before I can deal with all of this change?? He is 19 and I still see him in his Spiderman Halloween costume that he wore as pajamas until they were so small his little bootee cheeks were divided. (Too much information? Sorry, it was just so stinkin’ cute!) He has always been my dramatic child, when he wore that Spiderman costume, he WAS Spiderman. When he wore his Buzz Light Year pajamas, he WAS Buzz Light Year. (Oh, how I love Toy Story, I have laughed and cried with those movies through the years. I balled when Andy went to college the same year as Abbie, my oldest. Very emotional time for me and those movies lived out our lives on the big screen.)  Whatever he did, he did with all of his heart. So when he decided to annoy girls, guess what? He was hugely successful. When he decided to play football, he did, with all of his heart. Well, until that one really big kid used his arm as a starting block, then he decided maybe football was not for him. Running, that ended up being his sport of choice, or the one that we chose for him, all depends on how you look at it. 😉 He ran, and boy did he run, with all of his heart. He played the Bari sax in the band, he did his best, gave his all each game. He loved that band. He finally found his niche when he tried out for his first play during his junior year of high school. Oh my, he was great on stage, he lived that way all the time anyway, this time he had a real audience. He went on to become a great student and a great friend. But, I think the decision that I am most proud of was when he chose Jesus. My boy loves Jesus, and he doesn’t mind anyone and everyone knowing it. He is so excited to go back to college and lead a small group in the Bible club that he joined during his freshmen year. (I guess all the arguments where he thought he needed to get the last word paid off here. He loves to talk and share, like his momma.) Of course he still loves video games, and Captain America is his role model. (I guess it could be worse.) All the drama, extremism and wordiness is being molded into this beautiful gift of leading a group and sharing Christ with others. I am so glad we hung in there with him. We had those tough talks, prayed our hearts out, we were the bad guys, sometimes the good guys, and in the end, it was worth it. He has become such a joy. I cannot tell you how special it is to sit and talk to your 19 year old about God and His Word and really feel like he has a love and respect for both. Like he gets it. Of course, in the next sentence he might decide to talk in a fake foreign accent about something ridiculous, but I have hope that the maturity is happening, no matter how far away it may seem. I get glimpses of it from time to time. Like just a few minutes ago when he reached over and gave me a hug for no apparent reason, just wants me to know he loves me. Of course, now I can hear him skyping with some friends and using his best dramatic villain laugh. Oh well. Move in day is tomorrow. I can still remember coming home after move in  day last year, his freshmen year, and walking into his bedroom, sitting on his bed and crying until my eyes hurt. (The kind of cry that involves involuntary swallowing. It’s a painful cry physically and emotionally.) Maybe this year will be easier, I have had many of you tell me that. I have a lump in my throat right now. I sure hope you’re right.