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June 02, 2005

Now, I feel old

Yesterday, Andy, our 20 year old son, moved into his first apartment. We rented a U-HAUL and packed up his bedroom furniture, his computer, console games and everything else I could think of and drove out to Manhattan, Kansas so he could get all settled into his new place.

I got to meet one of Andy's roommates, Ashes, a very cute, bubbly girl with lots of personality. His other roommate was still transporting her furniture, so we did not get to meet her. We also got to meet Lu, a friend of Andy's who he dates sometimes, and Jason, another friend of Andy's.

Times have changed. When I was 20, it would have been quite the scandal for a guy to live with two girls. Now, it is not at all uncommon - the three of them are friends, platonic friends.

The apartment itself is the second floor of an old house. It has a nice screen porch, three bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen and a small living room. The decor is a bit startling - Andy's room and the 'computer room' off of his room are a dark coral, nearly orange, color. Knowing Andy as I do, he will not paint it, he hates painting rooms. He will put up as many posters and wall hangings as he has, I suspect!

Andy's friend August helped quite a bit with the move. August and I loaded everything into the truck together (John was at work, and Andy had to be in Manhattan earlier to pay his first month's rent). It was hard work, and I am so out of shape, that today I ache. I didn't realize how heavy desks and beds and bookcases and boxes of books are.

Andy and all his friends are going to an Anime convention in Dallas this weekend, then he starts his first job on Monday. We bought him a bike so he can ride it to work everyday, and when school starts in the fall, he can ride it to Kansas State (He is only about two miles from the Engineering School).

I am very proud of my son. I love him as much as any mom can love her son, and then more. Getting that first apartment is an important milestone in a young person's life. I remember how excited I was to move from the dorm into my first apartment when I was in college.

Andy will do fine, I'm sure of it. It is hard to let go of him, and let him grow up, but he is more than ready to get out of the house and start living as an adult.

I am both happy and sad. I'm happy that Andy is becoming more and more independant, but I'm sad, too. It's the whole empty nest thing, I guess.

I'll get over it eventually (:

Posted by Beth at June 2, 2005 12:29 PM