THE WEEKEND EDIT AND EVAN
It’s happening I can feel it in my stomach; there is an empty feeling that no amount of carbs can feed the hollow feeling leading to this weekend.
Of course, it’s going to take four hours for it to be official, but it is happening. My youngest, the baby aka and Evan graduates Sunday morning from the University of Dayton.
The early years were filled with mixed-up letters and numbers. This artwork reminds us to find laughter in a misplaced consonant.
I blinked. Wasn’t last weekend his high school graduation? Or Evan’s state tennis championships? (humble mom brag)
Didn’t we just have the best wine-tasting party at Mom’s Weekend?
And now, this first weekend in May, my youngest graduates from college. His final semester was busy with class projects and his intramural pickleball league.
He learned it will be at least ten years before he gets to choose his team for projects.
He graduates with a degree that provides him with a job in Dallas that doesn’t start for another year.
His delayed start date provides him with opportunities to enjoy the summer.
For twenty-one years he has been my plus-one. As a baby, Evan was hauled to every soccer, ballet, hip-hop, tennis, and gymnastic practice. He was the easiest baby and fell asleep on his own as a newborn.
I think he was so relieved to have his own space after a day filled with his older sister’s first-grade drama and his brother’s evening meltdowns.
We had a few false starts with our empty nest because of 2020 and remote learning that extended into 2021. Selfishly, I loved having him home.
I smiled when he did his Zoom courses in his sister’s room where the space was tucked away from my husband’s now permanent home office.
When the youngest leaves the nest there is a closure of two decades of raising a family. Thankfully the feelings of loss are replaced with feelings of pride and love and fun as our kids mature into their fully developed selves.
My husband and I have transitioned to the role of consultants.
I now understand why consultants make so much money. As I transition to this contract role my billable hours are listed under worry and a premium charge of pre-dawn attempts to fall back to sleep.
Evan will return to the home he grew up in and will inevitably feel the sting of moving back home (temporarily) with roommates who are in bed by 10ish. I love you to the moon and back!
Thank you for reading through this post. This closes a chapter and I thank you for allowing me a trip around the moon with Evan. What an amazing ride.
WATCHING + READING + LOVING
- Next week!
ON REPEAT THIS WEEKEND ONLY
Shop Notes: I love the pillow covers on Etsy. Click below to get to all my favs! You can check out my pillow covers in our family room here.
Do you have a friend who may enjoy the Weekend Edit? You can sign up here a Saturday morning easy-breezy newsletter. Thank you!
Goodness, how is that possible? Congrats to Evan and to you all!
I know how you feel about the last one leaving the nest. It’s hard at first, but you do sleep better. Congratulations to Evan and your entire family. Let me know when he starts his job in Dallas so we can plan a visit.
thank you Carol! Will do! He loves to play tennis and pickleball too!
Congratulations to your youngest. My goodness, you have a busy year ahead. Graduations and wedding. What joy. They grow up too fast.
Karen B.
Aww! Congrats to ‘and Evan’!! So excited for him. Enjoy your time with him while he’s home with you!
Congratulations to Evan! Much success in his chosen career.
Congratulations, also, to his proud parents for a job well done.
Big congratulations to Evan! To mom and dad too! Being in the Real Estate Appraisal World the past 40 years we have seen a lot in homes as well. To get top dollar and a faster sale when showing your house, dirty dishes in a dirty sink is never a good idea. Clean off the kitchen counter tops, put appliances in cabinets. Have the lawns mowed and for gosh sakes clean up after your pets both dogs and cats, take out the trash in all rooms. Clean out the garage, make it look spacious enough to pull in cars. If there are obvious repairs, get them repaired before listing the home. Your suggestion to take down family photos is something no one does but should, declutter, even if you put half the stuff in storage or donate it. Have a clean pleasant environment.
Love these tips Ella!
Wait……..WHUUUUUUUUUUUT? He’s moving to Dallas in a year? OMG!!!!! He’ll probably marry a Dallas girl, so you better move to Dallas- Pronto!!! Best news I have heard in a while!!!
Congrats to Evan!! I remember that face as a little guy 🙂
Tears
happy tears! It has been quite a journey with my and Evan. Could not be more proud of my nap loving son!