Baby Freshie

Just about 7 years ago, I left our tiny town of Watervliet to do something big with my life. I didn't want what everyone else wanted. I'd been accepted to college, had earned scholarships and could have been ready to go but it just didn't feel right. I was going to join the Air Force.

There is absolutely nothing I regret about becoming a member of our nation's Armed Forces, don't get me wrong, but you don't realize how much you give up when you leave home until something big happens. I've had a few "something bigs" over the last 7 years but today... Today is the day my baby sister starts college. Today she is a Freshman all over again. I'm not sure how it's even possible. She was only 11 when I left home. It doesn't feel like it's been 7 years. When I look at her, I can definitely see the changes but I've only been home 9 times in 7 years, never more than 10 days at a time. Regardless of how she has grown, she can't be any older than 15 in my brain. It was a huge shock when I realized she was too old to be a Junior Bridesmaid for my wedding. Then came Driver's Ed which brought a little sadness. I was old enough to legally accompany her as a licensed adult. When she was born, one of the first things I did was count the years to the time she'd be getting her driver's license to see what our ages would be. The idea of teaching her to drive was so exciting for me! I missed out. Then came Junior Prom. Was she really old enough to attend without being asked?!?! Senior Prom wasn't so much of a shock as it was a heart attack when my brain registered the fact that she was probably thinking about a possible date or crushing on some high school boy or another. Don't forget, she hadn't had time to grow for me. To me, she wasn't 17 years old, she was maybe 14. 


Here we are today. My baby sister is officially a little Freshie all over again, this time attending college. I think my brain might slowly be catching on to the fact that she's growing up but that doesn't stop me from sitting in front of the computer with my Little Mermaid box of tissues, sobbing hormonally for everything I've missed. All of middle school, all of high school and now the first years of college. Will I miss teasing her first boyfriend or watching her fall in love? Will I be there when she gets her first awards for music (because I know she will. She's just that talented). Will I get to watch her develop her computer skills into something usable in the work force?


Good luck little Freshie! Everyone in town knows you have incredible musical talent, it's time to show the world what you can do. Be fearless and take chances. Now is the time to try and fail, now when you can pick yourself back up again and move forward like nothing happened. Protect yourself Baby Freshie. Don't let someone tell you who to be or what to do. You're strong and fierce. Show them they can't push you around just like your stubborn baby-self showed me so many times. Stand up for what you believe in. If you don't stand for anything, you will fall for everything. Go to class and knock 'em dead (and don't forget to study hard somewhere in between).