To The Girl With Her Mom As Her Best Friend As She Leaves For College,

It will be okay, you will cry but it will be okay.

Growing up, I had a mom and a best friend all in one, and I know what the parenting books say about this relationship but hey, it worked for us. Grocery shopping with my mom? Running every errand there is to run with my mom? Church and breakfast every Sunday? Giving my Mom the scoop on all the catty drama? Heck yeah. I used to never want to go anywhere without my Mom growing up...So like college about two hours away?? Uhh...This was for sure a challenge, but we both got through it.

I know, this is supposed to be such an exciting time and all of your friends just can't wait to go to college, and deep down you feel the same way. But, for now, every time you think about leaving your bestie, you get that awful burning in your throat like you might just cry in the middle of Target. Let it happen, let those tears fall and then remember all of the amazing things waiting ahead for you.

Yeah, planning the dorm room and finding the cutest arrangement on Pinterest is super fun in June, but in August when you realize you have to not only take your last shopping trips together but also pack up your entire room (side note: do not do this, I promise you will not need all 20 pairs of jeans and they will patiently wait for you until Thanksgiving), you get that horrible pain in your chest.. And yep... You are crying again but don't worry because your Mom is there crying with you.

I can without a doubt say that these were the most confusing moments to have to explain to people. Like, "Yes I swear I am super excited for college and my fresh start. I had a great orientation and even have friends already" all within the cries... And add some hiccups in there... With your blotchy red eyes from crying.

Coming from the girl who had these conversations in the aisles of Target and other public places, you will make it and you can still be best friends with your Mom from college. But cry now, and to the people who just assume it is because you aren't ready for college and they are just "so over this town" have fun crying your first week of college. I just preferred to have my homesickness before actually leaving home.

You are not crazy or weird for being upset that you will miss your Mom, being upset means you are embracing what is happening and you are aware that things will be different, not bad but different. And yes, move-in day is super fun until everything is unpacked and the only thing left is your family kind of just awkwardly standing in the doorway, and then the waterfall of tears start flowing. It is time to say bye to not only your bestie but your whole family too.

But, this really is not a goodbye, at like all. Your Mom will probably text you twenty times before she gets home and she will call you tomorrow. Then before you know it, they are back for parents weekend and suddenly without even realizing it, you have made the transition into college. Your first semester will fly, and then you will be home for seven weeks, confused why you were ever upset in the first place. And then the second semester will go even faster and you will be home for three months, and the amount of church and breakfast opportunities in this time is truly outstanding. Not to mention these semesters that fly by will be some of the happiest days and you will meet truly great friends for life. All while still being besties with your Mom.

I'm not telling you not to cry, I'm just saying know in the end it will be okay after you cry though.

Xoxo,

The Sophomore Who Isn't Guilty For Missing Her Mom At School