Rock On Drummer Boy

Last night Sweetie and I spent the evening at BYU attending the new student/parent barbeque. It was so much fun! There were thousands of people there--the line stretched from the west end of Helaman Field all the way through the southeast gate and up the street in Helaman Halls, and it stayed that long for an hour or more, no matter how many people went through. Somebody from BYUSA (student government) had good taste in music and was blasting it through some serious speakers. Lots of sun (I've got that summertime glow back again on my neck and face), happy kids, proud parents, energy galore. We even got to see him perform for the first time with the band as they rocked the house. Those 14 hours days have really paid off!

I was talking to a man behind us in line who also has a son in the Cougar Marching Band. I mentioned that I keep having to remind myself that this college experience is what we've been working for all these years and not a sad thing, so I don't get teary. He smiled at me and said he has been telling his wife the exact same thing. I'm sure I went to school with many parents there that I would never recognize now. We all looked the same! Sun damage, crow's feet, gray hairs here and there--all with stupid grins on our aging faces. It was hugely validating and inclusive, in an odd way. Further reinforcement that time has marched on was the tent where they sold shirts commemorating the 25th anniversary of BYU's 1984 national football championship season. I went to every one of those home games with my boyfriend. 25 years?! But we were just there!

So off he goes into the dorms this week. My wonderful kid is moving out. When he was a baby older moms would urge me to enjoy every moment with him because the time would fly by. I took their advice to heart, even though there were days that felt like an eternity all by themselves. I have loved every minute of being his mom! I'm enormously proud of him, and everyone who meets him thinks I'm totally justified. I will definitely miss having him here every day, but he's just up the street really. He is my partner in crime when it comes to our music tastes since no one else has an appreciation for 80s music and Michael Jackson around here.

You rock my world, Chris!