College Move in Day at Weber State University
Title: Roofnest Condor ReviewCollege Move in Day at Weber State University
I’ve been thinking about life transitions of late, especially after hearing stories from friends about their kids heading to college orientations ahead of Fall term 2022. This post is an excerpt from my journal on August 21, 2019. It generally chronicles Emily’s college move in day for her freshman year at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. A few things have happened in the world since then: namely a global pandemic and three years worth of academic work by Emily who is about to start her fourth and final year as a chemistry major. Go Emily! She’s excited and has her sights set on graduate school. But at this moment in time, it was her first step away from our family unit, from Maryland to Utah, into adulthood. For me, it was the moment where, as a parent, I crossed into new territory as a father and husband.
Journal: WED AUG 21 2019 (D-Day: drop off day. H-Hour: 2:30 PM begin move in)
We spent most of the day packing things up and waiting for 2:30 PM to hit, our appointed time to head in to Ogden and begin the check in process. Before leaving, I got into a lightsaber duel with a local jedi-niece, who made quick work of me. It was a moment to pass the time…and not think about what was coming later in the day. There were stops to Best Buy for a mini fridge, and other places to get things a college kid might need in her first dorm.
The actual moving in was…surreal…and I felt as if I was on autopilot unpacking the car, getting her bed put up on stilts, all while three other girls and their parents were showing up and doing the same things. It was a little chaotic.
Emily’s roommate Cassidy seemed nice. Her parents literally brought everything from Colorado, including a crock-pot, cleaning supplies for everyone, a combo heater-AC unit and food for the year. Did I mention the full size microwave? And it all seemed to creep into Emily’s side of the shared space…but it’s all good. Emily and her roommate will work that out.
As Emily and her mother began to unpack and decorate, I sat in the hall feeling the weight of leaving. It wouldn’t be long now. Not an hour before I was shopping for food at the local Smith’s and nearly crying in the cereal aisle. I thought to myself, “get it together, man.”
By 9 PM, as we all sat in the hallway with most everything unpacked and sorted (and about to leave), I suggested we get a shake at Jake’s Over the Top (a local greasy-spoon just around the corner) so we all went and ate ice cream in the dying light of a late summer evening. And then we drove back to the room and said our goodbyes. There were hugs and pictures and then we left, shutting the outside door.
Back at the car, I doubled over as if I had just run a hundred yard sprint, breathless and emotional. For weeks I’d been praying in my heart to make the most of our remaining time and I think we all have, but at that moment, I felt the full weight of transition and impending empty nest-hood. I love being a father, and being Emily’s dad has brought unparalleled joy into my life. I would feel the same way three days later when I opened the door to our home in Maryland, knowing that things would be different, and that my role would change. But she’s ready.
During our trip across the country, Emily took advantage of every social opportunity possible, from Experience Weber, to LDS Institute socials, to late night game sessions, and trips to Pineview Reservoir. So she has jumped in, feet first into college life. Classes start tomorrow.
The video from that college move in day is here. Thanks for reading until the end.
