I often joke that we have 254 sons, and it really is a joke since a few of them are closer to my age than my own siblings. And yet, these guys that we share our lives with--on good days and on bad--really are as much a part of our family as our real family. There's a reason the boys always list "the guys" when they name our immediate family. They fill a place in our lives that no one else will ever fill.
Hence my post tonight. Most of our guys have moved out slowly over the past week. It's been both sad and exciting to see them go. It marks the end of a long, often difficult school year, and brings the promise of summer (and hopefully some sunshine!). Last weekend was commencement and we watched as the students filed past us in their caps and gowns to receive their diplomas. We were proud of them, but none of it felt final. Until tonight.
Tomorrow our staff leaves. Of all the guys in our building, these 10 have been the closest to us this year. They are a fantastic, fun group of guys. They have loved my children, supported my husband, and often made me laugh on long "toddler trenches" days. Some of them will be on staff again next year, and it's exciting to anticipate seeing them again after the summer apart. Some will be back to the school, although in different buildings. Some are moving on for good. Graduating. Getting married. Flying the coup. I feel like we're left with an empty nest.
Tonight we had our year-end Res Life party. Each hall dressed up as a different musical act. Our guys chose to go as the "Night at the Roxbury" skit from SNL. It was more than appropriate for our staff. It was so fun to see them in their lounge lizard get-up, bobbing their heads to our portable boom box blasting, "What Is Love" all the way to the Student Center. Of course, in the middle of the pack like they were "one of the guys," strutted my two little studs. Oh, how they're going to miss these guys!
Here are some pics from our night. They're not the highest quality, but still show the fun we all had. I guess the time has come to turn them over to their own families again. It's a bittersweet moment in any "mom"'s life--and maybe the foreshadowing to letting my own kids go someday makes it even more poignant these days. Who knows? I only know that "the guys" will be greatly missed this summer!
 |
| The gang walking to the party, boom box blaring, dancing and strutting. |
|
|
 |
| The guys dancing in a circle around the boys on the "red carpet." |
|
 |
| Posing for a group shot. |
|
 |
| My little lounge lizards (who never look at the camera!). |
|
 |
| How Henry amused himself until 9 pm. I can't believe they made it through the whole party! |
|
