Preparing your marriage for sending your first one off to college.

I have heard about this time from other people. I have listened. I have thought secretly. Our family has arrived at this point of change. Preparing mentally and emotionally to pack our firstborn up and off to the wide-open fields of college. What I have not prepared for is the transition in my role as a wife and mother. Suddenly, I realize I must find something to do with extra time on my hands. I am no longer needed to drive anyone, anywhere. Our daughter now drives. I am no longer needed to pick up from cheerleading or football. No need to run to Walmart for graph paper, notebooks or cosmetics. They can jump in their cars and go. Sometimes I just look at my car resting in the garage and long for someone to need me to take them somewhere. Another adjustment is the quietness of our home. When both of our teenagers are out tending to their social calender, I am forced to realize how out of sorts I have become. My husband and I are completely different. I have read that this adds spice, adventure and keeps it from getting old. I'll let you know about that. I zig, he zags. I talk. He barely mumbles. I love plans. He hates using a GPS device. I like to have fun. He likes to jump off cliffs. I observe rules. He doesn't know there are rules. I live each day collapsing in exhaustion. He takes a nap and then can't sleep. I close my eyes and think back when I fell madly in love with this guy, 25 years ago. I still love him, I am just trying to remember how we got to this place and who we are. Our son's orientation program was excellent. It answered questions I did not even know to ask. The people were encouraging, positive and supportive. Of course, I will be overwhelmed and emotional when we take our son to college. I will cry and feel overjoyed all at the same time. But, college is like a paid vacation. If you do your part in paying with good grades and taking it seriously, you get to stay and have the time of your life. If not, the vacation stops and then real life hits you in the face. I'm not worried about our son's new life in college....I'm worried about mine at home.