What's Bringing Me Joy: Move-In Day For College Freshmen

My job lets me enjoy, vicariously, many of the best bits of being a university student. I "joke" that if money were no object, I'd just go to school for the rest of my life. (Remember that story from Times that came out about this time last year: The Man Who Couldn't Stop Going to College? As they say, it's tough to watch someone else living your dream.)

Today was one of those days. It wasn't a day that I can say with any confidence I would have cherished when I was going through it, but as an adult, being around the new students and their parents on move-in day was a real treat.

Hugs that held on a bit longer than the probably would have a day before in their own kitchen. Moms being consulted on how things ought to be in the room. Dads outside the rooms, sweaty but cheerful, assembling some piece of storage-type furniture from Walmart or Target.

Life stories and big plans for the future. Tentative new friendships and feeling their way through a new space.

It was hopeful, in a world experiencing an ugly moment. The hugs and parental doting made me emotional. The smiles and pure excitement brought me back to life. Made me miss my folks in that moment, miss being young, miss just starting out, miss the sense of adventure and the feeling of a big blank slate with nothing but possibilities ahead.

Here's to all the freshmen getting their starts this week. Here's to the parents and families and friends who had to say goodbye. Wishing them all the best and sending a heartfelt thanks for letting me experience a fraction of that life again.