I cried twice yesterday....
 

Took our daughter to USC yesterday (two hours away). It's her first time being away from home for an extended period of time. All was good until my wife, son and I had to say goodbye, as we all cried saying our goodbyes to her. It was tough to leave her there, although we have prepared her for the past 18 years in the best way we could. I think she will do great (she wants to be a pharmacist), as she's smart as a whip and very determined (made straight A's all through school, all AP and Honors classes, NHS, Beta Club, captain of the swim team, etc.).

I cried again when I got home and read a two page letter she had written and left for me. She wrote that she was very happy with her mom and I, glad we were her parents, and appreciated all that we have done for her.

Anybody else have similar experiences taking their kids to university?

Sorry no pix.

Care packages from home will be much appreciated. Every week or so, a shoebox stuffed with homemade cookies or similar treats. For her first year especially. I think the first two years is pre-pharm, and none of it is easy. She will be busy studying, and making friendships that will last forever.

You are a lucky man. :)

_

No...I have not had similar but I can completely understand you feelings....I think. What she wrote tells me you are great parents....that and how you feel too. God love you. ;)

You must be a great Dad. And SC is a great school, I have several close friends and a couple of family members who have gone to grad school there.

I live 15 minutes from campus. If you want my contact info, PM me. If there is EVER any kind of emergency or need for any type of help, I will drop everything and bring whomever is needed to solve the problem. :)

But she should be fine as long as she stays on campus or travels only in groups at night, the usual common sense/big city stuff. :cool:

speeder,
Unless A930Rocket really has a rocket, I'm guessing he is talking about a different USC. (check his location ;))

OP, while I don't have any kids, my guess is that you and your wife really are great parents. Sounds like you have a great daughter, too.

Oops, I think you're right...

There is nothing wrong with a dude crying in happiness and to the opposed missed times you will have.
My Kids are too young for University.. but to have my Son go back to his mother, I cry me a river all the time.
She'll be fine- she still loves you man.

Thanks guys. It wasn't all roses with her and us, especially the 16-18 years, but we wouldn't trade them for anything. She's grown considerably, but has more to come.

Is there another USC? :)

Rocket

no not really

I'm here, just starting the Marshall MBA full-time program. We're in our own corner of campus, so probably won't be running into the undergrads too much, but feel free to PM me if you need anything.

USC - University of Southern California

USC - University of South Carolina.

;) You won't be running into her, Amir. :D

Funny, I thought the same thing when I heard USC.

Because California is the only state that matters. :D

Been a long day studying for an accounting midterm.

University of South Carolina. LOL

I think that when about 100% of the people in the U.S.A. hear "USC", (outside of South Carolina), they think that it refers to the

University of
Spoiled
Children

or...

University of
Second
Choice

(if you are a UCLA person). ;)

It's great to see a family with such a great bond. Seems like most parents just want to off the kids when they hit 18. Maybe I'm just sensitive to that since I was told it was time for me to leave at 18.

I'm crying right now just reading your story. My daughter is 8. Ten short years.

Thank you for sharing.

Come on, she didn't die. This is happy news.

There were no tears on my move-in day at school. But I am only two-and-a-half hours away via car. Plus with cell phones and email it was like I never left. I come home many weekends so in many ways I have not.

If I was across the country or something it would be different.

We had a similar experience when we dropped our daughter off at college three years ago. Since then, she has matured immensely and the relationship between us has grown stronger and deeper.

Mike

Onions make me cry.

I remember the feeling when our son went away to college and my wife and I were suddenly empty nesters. Boy, that left a big hole in me, and it took a while to get over not seeing him every day. Eventually, you get used to it. And, it's very special on those occasions when you can get back together with your kids.