Grace Is Leaving For College

When I started my blog back in February, I had a pretty good idea of how the editorial would unfold. I thought I could talk about how I plan my days, how I can quickly feed my crew a decent dinner every night, why I love yoga, and share new things that are popping up around town. I was also fairly certain that my oldest daughter Grace leaving for college would be a major storyline, too.We take Grace to her dream school–Notre Dame–this Friday. My heart is full because this is what she has always wanted and she is so ready to go. But my heart is also breaking because I know this is the beginning of an entirely new chapter for our family.When I look back, big transitions for our kids have never been easy for me. I remember crying at Grace’s last day of preschool, her last day of grade school, and her last day of high school. Yet when I really think about it, I have loved each new phase in Grace’s life more than the last. I have to believe her college years will prove to be the same.I have two hopes as we drop our beauty off this weekend. First, that we’ve given Grace all of the tools she needs to make the right choices to be as happy and as excited as she is today. And second, that I can hold it together enough not to take away from all of the amazing things she’s going to experience at orientation. (I’ve been crying for days…it’s so embarrassing! The other day Grace picked out her own Tide at Target and I burst into tears. Her own Tide!)My sister whose son will be a freshman with Grace at Notre Dame (best gift ever!) sent me this prayer earlier this month. You can bet I will be saying this every night!”Heavenly Father, please be with these students as they go where they do not know. As they seek to grow in knowledge, we ask that they grow in faith. As they start to conquer the world, we hope that they conquer their fears. As they strive to find their place, we pray that they find You! Please go where we cannot, protect when we cannot, give strength that we cannot, and bring them safely home. Amen.”Thanks to all of you who have helped us get to where we are today! I will keep you posted on the big move-in and a few things I’ve learned along the way. Stay tuned!xo