In three days my oldest daughter goes off to college. As her mom, I feel like this is her first true intentional move as a young adult. Until recently, I’ve had a heavy hand in how her life has been laid out, more or less. But this is her time and on her terms. The school she chose, her major, and even her roommate were all completely her decisions. I have to say, it was pretty cool seeing her surrounded by grace in all of those decision making moments. Very few panic attacks haha. These last three weeks I’ve done countless farewell waxings on my long time teenage clientele as they all headed off to college. In talking with each of them there is an equal amount of excited anticipation and slight trepidation because with responsibility comes accountability. Parents won’t be there to make sure their sleep patterns are solid, meals are well rounded and friendships are healthy. Nobody will know if you’re giving your all in and out of the classroom. It’s up to these kids now. I use a phrase a lot with my kids when explaining healthy habits and lifestyle decisions to them. I always say ‘no magic switch goes off that suddenly...makes you a tidy person. Or a Good Samaritan. Or a health advocate. It’s many little habits that create change and get you there.’ My hope for all these college freshies is that they don’t wait for that magic switch moment. That they become comfortable taking accountability for their life and leaning into their light. That they find work from their heart space that is a direct extension of them and that they let that work change their world for the better. I’m so excited for all these new experiences and I hope we can all find joy in the journey along the way. Because I’ll be honest, my heart feels half broken and half full today.