And just like that, John has wrapped up his sophomore year at Auburn University.
It is hard to put into words how grateful we are that he gets to attend a university that has been such a perfect fit for him. Honestly, we knew it from the very first tour. There was just something about Auburn that immediately felt right for our boy. And two years later, that feeling has only deepened.
John continues to work incredibly hard academically while also fully embracing college life. He’s maintained a high GPA, become deeply involved in fraternity life and built such a wonderful circle of friends and routines there. Outside of class, he loves cooking, working out, gaming and of course cheering on the Tigers every chance he gets. Watching him settle so confidently into this season of life has been one of the greatest joys as a parent.
One thing we are especially proud of this year is that he landed an incredible internship in the industrial engineering field. And as a sophomore! We were just thrilled for him. He’s spending the summer working full-time in a professional engineering environment, getting hands-on experience and learning so much already. His days now look much more like true adulthood: up early, working 8 to 5, squeezing in workouts and basketball games afterward, then getting to bed early enough to do it all over again the next morning. And thankfully… he’s thriving. He loves the project he’s been assigned, has met great people and seems genuinely happy stepping into this next chapter.
As exciting and rewarding as all of this is, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t also emotional. Because this summer feels different. With only two company holidays all summer long, we realized pretty quickly that after his first week home, we likely won’t have him back for any real stretch of time again until Thanksgiving aside from maybe a weekend or two here and there.
There is something bittersweet about watching your children slowly build lives that no longer fully revolve around home. It’s exactly what you hope for as a parent. Independence. Confidence. Opportunity. Purpose. And yet, you still ache while cheering them on.
So we absolutely made the very most of that one week home after classes ended. We did alllll the things.
Big breakfasts around the table. Slow mornings sleeping in. Family dinners. Pool afternoons. Movie nights. Games. Favorite meals. Favorite restaurants. Hanging out with no real agenda other than simply being together. We grocery shopped and meal prepped all his breakfasts and lunches for his first week working because honestly… some mom habits die hard.
And after his first week on the job, he already seemed so settled into a routine. Work. Workout. Basketball. Early bedtime. Repeat. It’s a strange thing as a parent when the very qualities you work so hard to build in your children are the same ones that eventually help them leave the nest.
But goodness… what a privilege it is to watch it happen. War Eagle forever, my precious son.
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