His First Apartment

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Simon is moving into his first apartment this weekend. He'll be living with a kid named Nick, who works with Simon. Seems nice. This process has been ongoing for a couple of weeks and they got the final word last Friday. Needless to say they are excited out of their minds.

I can't believe he's moving into an apartment complex! Where have I gone wrong?? I have never lived in an apartment complex - always rented half of a house - or I lived above a store once. His biggest life lessons these next few weeks are going to involve getting along with his neighbors. Lord help the neighbors.

It's been an interesting process for me. I'm 100% excited for him and want him to do this. It's time for him to go. When he first started talking about it, he asked me a few times, "Mom - can you believe I'll be moving out? Are you going to be okay with that?" I've assured him I will be. I kept my voice level but inside I was doing the happy dance, believe me. Then I realized maybe I better dial that back a skosh - maybe he wants me to miss him a little more. So I assured him I'd miss him. And I will. (His apartment is only about 10 minutes from here. And he's never without his cell phone. With our diverse schedules, we often go days without speaking to or seeing each other. It's been a gradual liberation process for us both.)

So for the 2-3 weeks this has been going on, I've been really happy - for me. It was just this past weekend, now that we're on the home stretch that I've gotten excited for him. I've told him several times that moving away from home was one of the top five moments in my life. I had a great home life (thanks Mom & Dad) but it was time to start my own life. I mean, is there anything better than living independently*? I'm so happy & excited for him.

*Note: He won't be 100% independent - I'm still paying his car insurance and cell phone. He'll take those on as he's able. But that kid has so much car debt, with that fancy car of his - and don't get me started on that.

The thing is, I know he can do this. He's ready. Will there be bumps in the road? Yep. Oh well.

I told him this is a big turning point because once you move away from home, you never want to live at home again. Nor do your parents particularly want you to. (Can I get an amen from the empty nesters please?)

The other interesting thing is how many people want to unload their crap on them, um, I mean share their possessions, recycle their furniture and household items. People are so relieved to have someone to give it to - it's coming out of the woodwork! We'll see how it shakes out this weekend but I think they should be set with most stuff.

Simon is very high maintenance, a real material boy. I am pleased to see that I think he's getting it about accepting used furniture and such. I was kinda worried about that, with his high-falutin' taste and all. I knew the reality would slap him in the face sooner or later but like I said, I'm happy to see he seems to be embracing that concept up front.

He says his room is mostly packed but I haven't ventured in to see. I'm the type that packs everything a month in advance, in boxes neatly labeled. I know, that surprises no one. But I'll have you know he does have his priorities in order. He spent a couple of hours this weekend squeezing the fluid out of yellow highlighters. He mixed the liquid with water in a row of empty liquor bottles - that glow under a black light. Other than commenting that I'm glad he obtained those empty bottles from an over 21 year old friend of his, all I could say was, "Finally! My son is crafting!"

It does look pretty cool.

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