We're off to COLLEGE!

My baby is university bound this fall!

We received her acceptance Monday and it being her #1 school, she accepted that evening. Since then, my life has been full of FAFSA applications, scholarship essays, letters of recommendation, combing Pinterest for dorm ideas ... you know, the regular mom drill. (Dad is contacting his old college buddy to arrange a job for her in her college town ... you know, regular dad stuff.)

I've been watching graduating parents for years now, and it's generally the same emotional breakdown. Watching their children take their "lasts" and packing them up for moving away with tears and Kleenex everywhere. I LOVE my daughter like a best friend, and while we have enjoyed daily conversations, styling advice, laughs, advice, daily snuggles ... I'm just not an emotional person. I'm so excited for this new phase in her life and I can't wait to see what she does with it.

She has always leaned on me to help her through daily drama and struggles understanding difficult situations. Her slight Asperger's creates a bit of a maze at times and has always looked to me to help her understand and mature. I don't see this changing - so I suspect I won't have time to miss her. I still expect daily texts, calls and since the school is on the way to our little SunDaze, I suspect we'll see each other often enough. However, I've got a pretty outgoing and spirited girl, so trips home on weekends will likely not be a common occurrence. I know she's excited to be a part of the theater department as well as attend every football game possible. She is looking forward to making some lifelong friends and attending every activity. So I'm not worried about the random weekend trip home.

We've got all the orientation weekends on the schedule and Pinterest ideas flying!

I want to hear about everything! Comment below with your best tips ... I'd love to hear your experiences and advice for dealing with college stuff.