Taking Tyler to BYU

First, we dropped off our three youngest kids at Grandma and Grandpa Child's house (thank you, Mom and Dad!) and headed to Utah in the mini van with our first-born and all his stuff for college.

It was amazing to be on the beautiful BYU campus once again, this time as the parents.  It seemed surreal.  How could it be possible that all these years have passed since David and I were there as students???  Tyler was a spunky three-year-old when we graduated from BYU.  I have sweet memories of Tyler as a little guy; rolling down the bell tower hill together was an activity he often requested when we had our weekly "Mom and Son" dates. Bowling and playing video games in the Wilkinson Center, eating ice cream at the Cougar Eat, and running hand-in-hand between the library and the bookstore in the rain are a few of my favorite old memories with Tyler at BYU.

Now it's my son's turn to experience late nights of studying and cramming for exams; living with room-mates; surviving on Pop-tarts, Oreos and tortillas; learning how to balance a social life, a part-time job, and academia.  I'm proud of the fine young man Tyler has become.  I'm proud of him for working so hard to earn the privilege of attending such an amazing university, and I have confidence in his ability to succeed in this new stage of life.

We immersed ourselves in the BYU orientation experience;  we attended a BBQ for parents and students, a luncheon in the Wilkinson Center ballroom for parents, and the Convocation at the Marriott Center.  The convocation was definitely a highlight for me.  The Spirit was strong as the opening hymn, Redeemer of Israel, was sung by the large congregation. It was a rare and precious experience.

David and I also attended classes for parents of freshmen, where we were given some valuable advice and information.  It's a whole new world, being a parent of a college student!

We helped Tyler get settled into his dorm on campus.  He is living in Carroll Hall with five room-mates, all freshmen.  He met each of them for the first time during freshman week.  We went shopping for all the essentials Tyler was lacking in his new home, and stocked the cupboards and fridge with food for him (he has a meal plan, but it gave me some peace of mind to know he could just grab something quick from his kitchen if he doesn't have time to go to the cafeteria).

The drive home in an empty mini van was both sweet and sad for David and I.  We are grateful that we had the experience of taking Tyler to BYU.  We know he is in a wonderful place, that he is in good hands.  We pray that his freshman year will be a year of learning and growth, of friendships and fun.  And most of all, that he will love it.  There is a lot to love about BYU!