Sniff.

(Note: Just this morning, Sheri, my dear friend (and Meagan's mom), posted a new blog entry that made me smile and also made me nod my head in sympathy and great understanding. Click here to read it!)

And now on to my post . . .

One short hour ago, Nathan got into his car and pointed its hood south toward Florida. Toward away from home. Toward, no longer in North Carolina.

Sniff.

Even though I knew it was coming, I’m never really prepared for the Actual Moment. The Actual Leaving. The Actual Being Gone. The Actual Absence of the Actual College Dude.

Before he left though, Steve made sure to get some work out of him. (And Nathan got some “work salary” out of Steve so it “worked” out pretty well!) Yesterday they spent about seven hours installing our automatic garage door opener.

And speaking of Nathan and working, he got word a couple days ago that the job he was banking on in Florida didn’t come through. He had impeccable references and a great interview but they told him that his application had gotten in a little later than everyone else’s and by the time they got to it, the positions were filled.

So that means that Nathan has had two “sure thing” jobs fall through in the last couple of months and now he’s really behind, trying to land a job in Florida when most college students have already started working. It’s been sort of a bummer, but he’s kept a good attitude about it. (He’s looking in the Lakeland/Winter Haven area if anyone knows of anything.)

Last night, as Steve and Nathan were out in the garage finishing up their job, one of our wonderful church members pulled into the driveway with this bag for Nathan full of good advice and good goodies. Don’t you love the name? “The Front Seat Bag.”

This morning when he came downstairs (wearing the t-shirt from the Front Seat Bag), I fixed him breakfast since it would be my last chance to cook for him for many months. (Sniff.)

This is the look he gets on his face if anyone threatens to take his food away. Don’t even think about it!

Before Sarah left for school, a hug ensued. (Sniff.)

And a brother/sister pose.

And then it was time to pack the car. Obviously Nathan didn’t wear all these clothes while he was here; he’s just using his car as a “second home” while he’s transitioning between dorm living and his summer accommodations. (He’ll be staying with Meagan’s sister and brother-in-law over the summer.)

He had to unpack a few things in order to re-pack and he needed someone to hold onto his ties for a minute.

Guess who was elected as the Tie Tree?

While Nathan was packing, Snowy nonchalantly strolled outside thinking, “Hmm. Nathan has some snacks in the Front Seat Bag. I wonder if I can just sneak into the car and stow away without anyone noticing.”

Looking for a spot to hide between the suitcases.

Double checking to see if anyone is noticing his surreptitious movements.

Oh drat. Noticed. Removed. Held captive. (Sigh.)

In case you’re wondering what the well dressed College Dude wears to travel, the answer is: a t-shirt, basketball shorts and flip flops. I must say I’m just slightly jealous of men who can get dressed in about twenty-five seconds. Maybe my new, post-surgical look should be basketball shorts and flip flops. Ya think?

The last hug. (I’m not crying yet.)

Watching him back out of the driveway. This is when I cried.

I think Ill just spend the day gazing fondly at this picture of my sandals next to his.

Mementos of a special time. With an extra special son. (Sniff)