For the last couple months, I've been gathering used furniture and giving it a makeover for her new place. As I've sanded and painted, I've done it with love. Preparing and planning these things is a way to provide and protect her at an age when parenting is no longer very hands on. Hanging decorations and curtains, making the bed, finding ways to make her as comfortable as possible makes me feel like I'm caring for her from afar.
When we arrived her things were piled around the room and she had been sleeping on an air mattress for a few nights. It didn't feel like a place you'd want to hang out. But by the time we left, she was looking forward to sleeping there!
It's amazing how much different I felt moving her into this room than I did her dorm room just last fall. There were so many unknowns dropping her off at college for the first time. So many emotions ending one stage and beginning another. This time I only felt excitement and happiness that she's doing well in school and is enjoying her life there. She's making good decisions and I see her growing up in ways that make me proud.
I can't believe her freshman year is over already. I'm looking forward to having her home for the summer and am excited to see what her sophomore year holds in the fall!
Wow, Marie! You did a great job on her desk! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the soft colors in her 'new' room!
I remember last year's post when you moved her to college. It's hard to believe that she finished her first year . . . and now she's moving into a place with her friends. How exciting!
I hope you had a great weekend,
Suzanne
Thanks, Suzanne! We were very happy with how the desk turned out. It was a lot of fun getting her settled!
ReplyDeleteHasn't this year gone fast? So glad your daughter has had such a great Freshman year. You did a great job on her room - it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy kids aren't there yet, but you so perfectly described why moms do what they do - they still want to take care of their kids, somehow. It's sounds like you're still doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteMarie you did an amazing job! Those items are adorable! Your daughter is very lucky to have you as her Mother. I both look forward to and dread this stage. Parenting isn't very hands on as you described, but our hearts are still full of them and we never stop thinking about them. An interesting time for sure.
ReplyDeleteWow... your daughter's room looks fabulous! She is so lucky to have a mum that cares so very much even though she's far from home x
ReplyDeleteWow... your daughter's room looks fabulous! She is so lucky to have a mum that cares so very much even though she's far from home x
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you need about finding ways to still parent from afar! My daughter moved into an apartment for her sophomore year with 4 other girls (University housing). It was furnished, but I still loved helping to make it more like "home". (I'm NOT showing her this photo though - she would be pretty envious I think!) My daughter finishes her sophomore year in June, and her plans will keep her away from home all but a few weeks this summer. Enjoy having your daughter home!
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