An Open Letter to My College-Bound Baby

My Dearest Baby,

Well.  Here we are.  As tempted as I am to simply say Don’t go, I know that isn’t fair.  It isn’t fair for any of us.  The hardest thing I’m ever going to have to do as a Mama is allow you to spread your wings and fly.  But you’re a child of God, only loaned to me for a while.

In just a few short weeks you will begin a new journey.

It’s going to be hard as crap.  It’s going to be amazing.  It’s going to be exciting.  It’s going to be scary.  You are going to be constantly surrounded by new people, temptations and a new environment. You are going to mess up a time or two. But, my sweet little one, just remember…

YOU ARE LOVED.

I loved you from the minute I knew you were forming inside my body.  I loved your first kicks and movements.  First, my sweet little toe-headed boy came along.  And two years later you came along to complete our family, my sweet little dark-haired, round faced girl.  And I was hooked forever.

I still love you both.

Being your Mama has been such a delight.  Well, most days it has.  There were a few days where you made me realize why animals eat their young.  But we persevered through together, and everyone is still alive.

It seems like in the blink of an eye you are heading off on your own.  According to your birth date you are an adult.  Funny though; despite you being an adult in the eyes of the world you are still my baby and I can still look at you and see both of you playing quietly on the living floor.   I can look at you now and see the strong, smart, and thoughtful people you have become.  It never ceases to amaze me that you are both mine; that somehow I was fortunate enough to be chosen as your Mama.  I often think how strange it is that the world sees parents as teaching their children, when in fact you both have taught me so much.

And now my youngest, my sweet baby girl, is heading out into the world on her own.  So let me share a few things with you to get us all through the next few weeks and months.

I will cry.  I will cry lots.  I’ll pass your room and part of me will feel empty and incomplete.  You are leaving and moving onto the next chapter in your life.  One that I am a bystander in, as it should be.  I cannot express how proud I am of you.  And so happy for you.  Sadness enters the picture because the moment you pull out of driveway and head toward college, our lives will never be the same.  You will come home with new opinions, new experiences and new friends.  All of these are wonderful and truly amazing aspects of college life.  But the person who returns home will not be the person I sent off.  Sadness comes in because I will no longer be able to protect you and shelter you.

I will repeat myself.  Rest assured it’s not because I don’t think you are listening.  It’s for me.  I need to be sure that I have told you every last piece of advice I can send your way.  After all, my sweet girl, we are closing a chapter and I know best how to mark time with words.  This way, for our next ‘chapter,’ we will know where we left off.

• Don’t let your gas level fall below a quarter of a tank.  And if you do, call me.  I’ll throw a container of gas in my car and come rescue you.  Just know, I’ll be hoppin’ mad when I get there.
• Dad and I have managed to get you this far in life healthy, whole and in one piece.  Now your safety and future is up to you.  Ask yourself four questions before you consider doing something.  Is it safe?  Is it legal?  Is it moral?  Would my Mama kill me if she knew about it?  If you cannot say “yes” to any of the four, it’s probably not a good idea.
• Always, always be aware of your surroundings.  And listen to your gut instinct.
• Try to eat something not out of a box or cooked in the microwave at least once a week.  A visit home on the weekend would help with this one.
• Chase your dreams!
• Surround yourself with great friends who encourage and inspire you.
• Talk to your brother often.  Don’t let anything come between that amazing relationship the two of you have.  Facetime and watch Bobs Burgers together.  Call each other just to say the other ones name and then hang up.  Just let each other know nothing has changed, even with the distance.
• Be nicer than you have to be to people you don’t want to be nice to.
• Manage your finances well.  The chance that you actually need a coon skin cap or a rare Pokemon card are slim to none.
• Make your own mistakes, but please try to skip the ones I have already made.  I only left you a few, so choose yours wisely.
• Know that your bed and your room will always be here for you, but please leave it clean when you go, so that when I look in, I won’t be irritated and text you to express my irritation.
• Look in the mirror every day and see yourself as I see you – smart, talented, with quick wit and a giant heart.
• Jade – remember that you are beautiful.  So make sure you fall in love with someone who not only treats you beautifully, but will continually point you toward Jesus.
• Don’t forget who you are and where you came from.  Remember, you are a child of the King!  Continue to let your light shine for Jesus.

I will stalk your social media, but you already know that.  I need these glimpses of your new daily life, your new routine, your new normal.  And I will question your social media activity, just as I do now.

I will text you stupid jokes that I know only you would laugh at.  Oh, how I’ll miss our daily laughter.

Love,
Mama