A New Chapter

We have officially entered a new chapter in all of our lives. While it sounds somewhat dramatic to state it like that, it sort of snuck up on us in a quiet sort of way and now that it is here, I am not quite sure that we have all fully accepted it.

The day went well. We loaded up the car, hit the road and were parked at the dorms by 9:45 am. Holly checked in, got her keys and we had her things up in her room in no time. Met the new roommates and their respective family members, set up the big things like bed and clothes, then walked around the campus to grab some lunch.

David had to say goodbye after lunch, so after a few final photos (check them all out here), Holly and I set out for a variety of errands, partly to pick up some items she still needed and partly to get her oriented to her new surroundings. This isn't Thousand Oaks, that is for sure. The San Fernando Valley is bigger, louder and far more congested on many different levels than my little lamb is accustomed to, but I said nothing.

I attended a parent orientation (during which they repeatedly assured the parents that many safety precautions are built into campus life...not helping my concern for the little suburb girl in the big bustling city!), then went out for dinner instead of the BBQ on campus. We decided that we were more in the mood for a salad.

One more trip into the store for a few more items, hanging the corkboard on the wall, and then I declared the fact that it was time for me to go. No big fanfare, no symbolic or emotional send-off, just a big hug and promise to see her in two weeks.

She's coming back soon enough, I see that she left some of her favorite clothes in her room. Maybe we all need to ease into this new arrangement in our own way.