Just dropped off Baby Girl at college. We spent yesterday packing her up (preceeded by all week shopping so she'd be going off in style ;-) ), strapped the Es-Car-Go to the top of the SUV, loaded it up, and started off bright and early this morning.
I was fine until we turned the corner to her dorm to join the long line of parents with cars stuffed to the brim with gear. Then it hit me that this is where Philippa was going to be for the next four years, and the tears started flowing and there was no stopping them. Merman looked at me and said "Stop crying! She's not getting married!" So I put my dark sunglasses on, sniffled at bit, and then I was fine. Whew. That was a close one.
We actually had a really good day. We were so impressed with what a well-oiled machine Purdue is. I suppose with 40K students arriving every fall, you lean how to process them pretty well. There were traffic cops and volunteers everywhere. They even had valet service! We stood aside as our car was unloaded and all Philippa's worldly goods were brought up to her room. Better than being at the Ritz.
And the room was sparkling clean. I was shocked! I had my can of Lysol ready to disinfect everthing in sight and I didn't have any cause to use it. Fyl's up on the 8th floor and has a magnificent view of mature trees and rolling hills. She's definitely not slumming it. What a good introduction to dorm life!
There was a very thorough presentation for parents that covered all aspects of living at Purdue. The Dean of Students was there, the Bursar, the Fire and Police departments, and more. All the resources available were discussed, whether it involved an academic, financial, health, or person issue. We came away with the impression that if any of our students needed help wiping their bums, there was probably a department that could handle the problem.
We left the campus and our daughter knowing that she's off on the ride of her life. She can tell us all about it. When she comes home this weekend.
I was fine until we turned the corner to her dorm to join the long line of parents with cars stuffed to the brim with gear. Then it hit me that this is where Philippa was going to be for the next four years, and the tears started flowing and there was no stopping them. Merman looked at me and said "Stop crying! She's not getting married!" So I put my dark sunglasses on, sniffled at bit, and then I was fine. Whew. That was a close one.
We actually had a really good day. We were so impressed with what a well-oiled machine Purdue is. I suppose with 40K students arriving every fall, you lean how to process them pretty well. There were traffic cops and volunteers everywhere. They even had valet service! We stood aside as our car was unloaded and all Philippa's worldly goods were brought up to her room. Better than being at the Ritz.
And the room was sparkling clean. I was shocked! I had my can of Lysol ready to disinfect everthing in sight and I didn't have any cause to use it. Fyl's up on the 8th floor and has a magnificent view of mature trees and rolling hills. She's definitely not slumming it. What a good introduction to dorm life!
There was a very thorough presentation for parents that covered all aspects of living at Purdue. The Dean of Students was there, the Bursar, the Fire and Police departments, and more. All the resources available were discussed, whether it involved an academic, financial, health, or person issue. We came away with the impression that if any of our students needed help wiping their bums, there was probably a department that could handle the problem.
We left the campus and our daughter knowing that she's off on the ride of her life. She can tell us all about it. When she comes home this weekend.
...bye bye, Pippi goes to Purdue!!!! 
That sounded easy!
. Anyway, we'll be taking our baby girl to school at the end of the month. I know that I'll have more than a few tears; I don't seem to be able to even look at her without thinking about it and shedding a few already. Good luck, Mermaid. How far away from home will your daughter be?
Enjoy the next chapter in both of your lives!
I love merman! What is he going to do when/if she gets married? Must admit, it did make me well up reading about it.