I survived! My daughter is now safely settled in her cute little dorm room and I lived through it.
As I was looking through some old college pictures of mine before we left I discovered that I began my freshman year at BYU on August 30, 1978 – exactly 30 years to the day that I left Cali at BYU to begin her freshman year.
Here I am in front of my dorm, Deseret Towers on August 30, 1978. (And yes those are purple pants – it was the 70′s remember)
Here is Cali in front of her dorm – Hinckley Hall on August 30, 2008.
The dorm rooms haven’t changed much – they are still small.
Here I am moving into my dorm many years ago. (My roommate Pam was right in style with her purple pants too!)
…and here is Cali and her sister getting her settled in. 
Cali’s room was quickly personalized with all her pictures, cute bedding and “stuff”!
Yes, I cried – more than once. But I left Cali with a sense of peace. I know she is where she is suppose to be. Too many “tender mercies” have happened on this college bound journey for me not to know that she is in the right place.
She has already immersed herself in college life - staying up late, enjoying dorm food (or at least eating it), meeting new friends, finding her way around campus and having fun!
Best of all I know she is in good hands -
Her two big brothers are there to check up on her, eat off of her meal card, let her borrow their cars and love her. Thank you Logan and Clark!
Just as my family left me thirty years ago (and yes those are purple pants my mother has on too!)
We left Cali…..
As we left, Cali made me promise not to call her more than three times a day and I’m proud to report in the first 24 hours I have only called her twice.
O.K., so I did get her sister to call her a couple of times too but those don’t count.
And the text messages don’t count either!
Or the phone calls I made to her brothers to see if they had talked to her….
Glad you traveled safely and got your Cali all situated. I’m sure she will thrive and love her experience. My mom said she cried off and on during the whole drive back across the country after she dropped me off. I, on the other hand, was having the TIME OF MY LIFE!!! It’s a great place!
Hey, I’ve got a little brother that’s just starting as a freshman…hmm, the possibilities! (He’s pre-mission, so he’s safe
.)
I have to say that those are some pretty darn fine purple pants.
I love the purple pants! Your daughter looks so much like you and it seems she is in good hands with her brothers there. Hope the first few weeks go well for the both of you!
Yes, I well remember those purple pants. How blessed Cali is to have two big brothers there and lots of family around. We didn’t have that luxury 30 plus years ago (almost 40 for me). She will have the time of her life and it will get easy for you too! Thanks for keeping us posted on your adventures! Love you!
There’s never a bad time to wear purple
And purple is back in and you probably still fit in those fashionable pants – maybe if you dye them a little darker?
Great job getting her all settled mom–she really is right where she is suppose to be!!
So I’ve already talked to her twice today – but she called me both times so those don’t count! She is loving her classes and doing great.
Sherra – I knew you’d love the purple pants!!
Thanks to all you sweet friends for your words of support and encouragement – I so appreciate it!
We had fun with you and your family, but it wasn’t long enough. It never is. You have left her in some really good hands! You look great then and now
Emily Wilkes »
Emily – I know that some of those “really good hands” are yours! Thank you! We love you!!
Leigh Anne,
The photos brought back memories. I also headed to college in August 1978. How could that be 30 years ago??
Cali looks happy and settled. Did you imagine 30 years ago that you would be back taking identical photos with your daughter as a student? Just think, Cali, 30 years from now you could be saying “can you believe how we wore our jeans? ” Well, it was 2008.
Dawn
this is absolutely beautiful.
you are an awesome mom.
Oh I can’t even write about any of the happenings this summer without crying…thus my Cracker Jack post still up. To write about Annelise, just the thought makes me teary eyed.
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whenever i need a smile, i always come back to this post! the love for your family shows all throughout your blog.