Earlier this year, my son began attending Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He is the youngest of our two children so needless to say, my wife and I joined the "empty nesters" club. I must say it was a bit of an adjustment and we made sure that we kept in touch with him on a regular basis to keep abreast of how things were going. After several weeks had passed my wife and I decided that we would have to take a trip to go visit him and we received a call that he had already made plans to come down to visit for the weekend and would be getting a ride with some friends. His mother as well as father were definitely smiling!
At about 4:30 we heard a knock on the door and there he was. He was carrying a small backpack, wearing his hat on backwards and definitely in need of a shave. Adding to that, we could see that he was in the process of recovering from a mohawk haircut. But hey, I guess that college is a time where everyone gets to experience something new now and then. Almost immediately he headed to the refrigerator and commented on how full it was compared to the one in his dorm room and we all sat down for a visit. Evan mentioned that things were going well and that he was enjoying college life. I must say that I am impressed with the all the different things that Humboldt State has to offer its students. He let us know which classes he was enjoying and that he was even considering changing his major (not uncommon). After that we took him out to enjoy dinner at one of his favorite Mexican restaurants and upon returning home, he grabbed the keys to his car and went to go visit some of his high school buddies.
As parents, my wife and I were both glad to see that he was healthy and enjoying the transition to being on his own. I am especially pleased to see that the college experience is turning out to be a positive one but must admit I am eager to see his first grade report. But as with so many other things I am truly grateful that things are going well for my son. It was good to be able to hug him once again. For me this was another reminder to be thankful for what we have.
Tomorrow he will be heading back and we will already be planning for the next time that we can see him. It took some getting used to having to realize that he is free to go where he pleases and does not have to ask his Mom and Dad for the okay to do so. But we know that he has a good head on his shoulders and knows what he his doing. I am proud to be his father.
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