When A Daughter Flies Coop

On her Facebook wall, Gina Emde Mote of Coeur d’Alene describes her emotions as her daughter, Bailey, prepares to leave for college in two weeks:

“PANIC!!! no, not panic. Celebrate! No not celebrate…….2 weeks from NOW, today, our baby girl and her daddy will pile into our over-loaded car and head to Colorado.  2 weeks to make memories that will last a lifetime. 2 weeks to sit across the table. 2 weeks to over prepare a girl that’s already ready. She’s ready to fly like an eagle. She’s never been caged. UUUUUgggggggg!! I’m practicing some breathing techniques. and cleaning. Yes cleaning. That always helps. Otherwise I will melt.”

DFO: I remember how proud and how sad I was after we helped our kids move into their dorms, at Portland area colleges, prior to their freshman years. My wife & daughter cried all the way back to Hood River when we dropped Junior off at Linfield College in McMinnville. I joined Mrs. O in a good cry when we left Amy Dearest at the University of Portland. Now, they’re both successful professional, living too far away. I still miss not having them somewhere near.

Question: How about you? Was parting sweet sorrow when your kids headed out into the big, scary world to become adults?