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June 2, 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
Comments
A real rite of passage for you as well as Andy, it sounds like. You are obviously very proud of him - he sounds like a great guy.
Posted by: Barb at June 2, 2005 5:07 PM
It's so bittersweet. You want them to grow up to be independent, productive people... and to need you desperately. ;)
It's a good thing I didn't raise my stepkids from birth; those rites of passage were difficult enough...! First dates/dances/apartments/sex...! I don't know how a "real" mom does it. LOL!
Posted by: pam at June 2, 2005 7:44 PM
And he's probably thinking: "Finally on my own, and out from under Mom and Dad!"
He is and you know it.
Cheers
JMH
Posted by: J.M. Heinrichs at June 3, 2005 11:41 AM
When my daughter moved into her apartment I was happy... when my son went to basic I bought champaign! When my daughter got married and she and her husband bought a town house - I boxed up the rest of her stuff and shipped it to the new place. *grin*
I like being an empty nester... then again I had my daughter when I had just turned 21 so now I may be able to do all the stuff I never got a chance to do in my early 20's and I can get together and do lunch with my daughter every once in a while - all in all - it works out well.
Posted by: Teresa at June 3, 2005 2:34 PM
I'm not going to like being an empty nester. I can feel I won't. I keep trying to remember everything that we do so I can continue to enjoy every minute. It's one of the reasons I blog. This is a very good time for me.
Posted by: Boudicca at June 4, 2005 8:25 PM
Dang, Ma'am! 20 years old? Platonic? Even if yer kid, and the gals, are all aspies, intent on rational relationships, I'm afraid, though I hope it won't happen, that the hormones will overpower the intellects. I hope that won't happen, I just said that I am afraid that might happen.
Hey, you're the Mommy, do it your way.
All the best, Jtg.
Posted by: Justthisguy at June 11, 2005 6:35 PM