Back to School!

By all accounts, it has been a wonderful summer. Bailey certainly packed a lot into it: She took three classes, worked as a counselor at two IU music camps, taught percussion lessons, and became CPR/First Aid certified. No wonder the time has gone so quickly!

A year ago this week, we were packing her bags and mopping up tears. Her astronomical fears about college -- and her ability to be successful at IU -- were unfounded, but she had to discover that on her own. And that she did. She adjusted in only a matter of hours -- so quickly and so well that we never received the "Come get me!" call that parents of college students dread.

This year, the weeks leading up to this day have been completely different. She's relaxed, happy, and eager to get back to IU -- back to her friends and back to the freedom of college life. There's an air of confidence about her, and it's incredibly gratifying to see -- because as parents, we wanted nothing more than for her to believe in herself.

I've said it before but it bears repeating: Parenting Bailey has been the biggest joy of my life. In spite of the white-knuckle moments, it has been a great privilege to ride along on this adventure, watching her grow into the young woman she is meant to be. 

So this week, the tears will be mine. But they will be tears of gratitude -- and eager anticipation of all that lies ahead!