Triple Piercings and College Dreams

Last week, on a total whim, my daughter and I decided to get our ears triple-pierced. Last year, we got doubles together, and this felt like the perfect spontaneous way to wrap up summer before school starts again. A little sparkle, a little bonding, and a little memory-making - just the way I like it.

We also started seriously looking at colleges she wants to visit this year. And if I’m being honest, I’m equal parts thrilled and terrified. She’s dreaming big - hoping for somewhere warm, somewhere by the beach, somewhere she can stretch out and become the version of herself that’s waiting just beyond high school. She's a beach and sunshine girl at heart. I admire that about her so much. She knows what she wants, and she’s brave enough to chase it.

But the truth? She’s one of my favorite people on this planet. And the idea of not being able to knock on her door and drag her on some random Starbucks run or window-shopping adventure makes my heart ache a little. Okay, maybe a lot.

I know I’ll visit her. I will. But I’m also realistic - college tuition doesn’t leave much wiggle room, and once a year might be all I can manage. That reality is hard. Which makes these everyday, silly, beautiful moments even more sacred.

So for now, I’ll take every random errand, every late-night Target run, every impromptu piercing. I’ll soak in all the time we have under the same roof before she spreads her wings and flies toward those sun-drenched dreams of hers.

And when she does, I’ll be cheering her on with everything I’ve got - and showing up as much as I can.