College Move-In: Surprise!
After arriving in Tuscaloosa late on Thursday night, we were all happy to see our beds. It had been a long day for all of us! There was no necessary early-morning wakeup. Just a leisurely Friday to look forward to.
Or so we thought.
Friday Morning Planning
Once we’d had our fill of biscuits and gravy for breakfast (we were in Alabama, so that is a required breakfast option) and questionable hotel coffee, it was time to figure out what we would do with our Friday.
Dan and I had discussed the possibility of going to campus and walking around for a while and seeing if it might work out to move in a day early. However, Dave was looking to stretch his legs after three days in a car traveling across the country.
“Hey Dan, why don’t you drive us to the river walk and then see whether you can move in later today,” Dave suggested. Oooh, I liked that idea much better! It wasn’t too hot outside, and we hadn’t been able to really connect while he was on the trip with Dan.
After some negotiation, we hopped in the car. Well, Dan and Dave could hop in. I had to climb in and sit in the backseat. There was no moving fast to get in or out of the backseat of the Veloster. We were at the start of the river trail in a few minutes, and Dan let us out to enjoy some walking time.
When we were visiting Tuscaloosa in March, Dave and I had enjoyed this trail together, and I had taken plenty of photos, not knowing if it would be our only time in the town. It felt surreal to be back, knowing this would be Dan’s home for the next few years. This walk likely wouldn’t be our last.
The warm air and gentle breeze enveloped us as we strolled along the pathway. The foliage and trees were lush, and the summer humidity was low enough to keep us comfortable. The conversation flowed easily, and we relished the connection.
The Phone Calls
Dan called about 30 minutes into our walk. It was a zoo, and apparently, his parking permit wasn’t good yet. He had no idea where to park or what the next steps would be.
“If I get into the move-in line, they’re going to move me in. And you’re not here.” The panic was starting to set in.
“Why don’t you find a place to park and then go talk to someone? Maybe park at the grocery store and walk to the residence halls,” we suggested. This wasn’t met with much buy-in. So we closed the conversation and kept on walking. We were getting closer to campus with every step, so we’d be nearby soon enough.
As we reached the end of the trail, which ended across from the residence halls, we got another call.
“I’m moving in right now. I’m in line, and you aren’t here!”
WHAT?!?
Dave and I looked at each other, sweaty from the walk, and then gazed across the street. I guess we were moving in.
Surprise! It’s Move-in Time!
We dashed across the road (jaywalking because there wasn’t a crosswalk). I saw a dorm to our left, but where was Dan?
After some false starts with him talking to Dave, the phone was handed to me. “Here, you deal with him,” was Dave’s frustrated response.
Apparently, after months of planning, we were going to spontaneously move in, and we would be the sweaty parents, totally unprepared for this momentous event. I guess I wouldn’t be wearing my crimson shirt in the move-in photos.
As I walked up the hill, holding the phone to my ear and trying to get my bearings, I began seeing the humor in this moment. Dan has always been my unexpected child. I can have all the plans laid out, and then, BAM, he needs my attention immediately for something I definitely didn’t have on my radar.
Ken was much more measured. He wasn’t quick to respond, and he was steady. Or he was distracted with a book. But he wasn’t spontaneous. That was Dan’s job.
The sweat was pouring down my forehead as we trekked up the hill. My strategy was simple: ask anyone I saw where Presidential 1(his dorm) was. Surely, we would get there. Now, if only my legs would move faster.
Everyone was so helpful as we walked up and around the residential campus. I couldn’t see the dorm yet but I knew we were getting closer.
Friday marked the end of #bamarush, so there was no shortage of beautifully put-together potential sorority ladies walking around. Two of them were headed in the direction of Dan’s dorm.
“We’re headed to Pres one. You can walk with us,” they graciously said. So, I joined them, sweaty from my workout and in desperate need of a shower. They were happy to walk with me and share what rush week was like for them. For a few moments, I enjoyed a taste of what it may have been like to have a college-aged daughter. Dave hung back as we chatted and made our way closer to the other residence halls.
We rounded a corner. There it was! I saw the dorm. Dan was just opening his car door, parked at the head of the move-in line.
Move In: Part One
I thanked the girls, then squealed, “I didn’t miss it!” with exhausted enthusiasm.
Thank goodness I’d put my phone in my pocket before leaving for the walk! I dashed across the street and started taking pictures.
All the move-in helpers had unloaded his car into a bin in just a few minutes. Alabama has an assisted move-in system, with an army of helpers and bins to unload the vehicles quickly and efficiently. Once the car was unloaded, it was time for him to get his keys and for one of us to park his car.
The only problem was that neither Dave nor I could take his car and park it. Dave didn’t have his contact lenses, and I can’t drive a stick.
Did I mention that we were unprepared for this move-in?
Thankfully, there were a few spaces nearby that Dan could park in while he got his keys and did this initial move-in.
We walked towards the courtyard, cameras out, sweat pouring down our foreheads, chatting with the RA, helping move Dan’s bin of boxes. It didn’t take long before he had his keys in hand, and we were headed into his dorm.
This was actually happening, and I didn’t miss it! Whew!
Dan’s suite was on the first floor, so it was only a few minutes before he got to the door. After fussing with the keys, he opened the outside door, and we walked into the living space. His room was to the right, and he used the other key to open it up.
They unloaded the boxes out of the bin and then rolled the bin back to the move-in area. There were more students to help!
We snapped a few photos of this move-in part one, then scurried back to the car. We all needed a shower— and to get the rest of his stuff!
After all the orchestration and planning for the cross-country move, this spontaneous move-in wasn’t what we were hoping for.
Maybe our new motto is: Plan for the worst, hope for the best, and adjust to the surprises!
Move In: Part 2. Now with Less Sweat and Clean Clothes!
A few hours later, showered, and with the rest of Dan’s belongings in the car, we headed out to Chick-fil-A for lunch and then drove over to the University. Now that he’d officially moved in and had some crossed-out numbers on his windshield, he could park in the student parking lot, and we could walk to the dorm.
Thankfully, it wasn’t a very long walk, and there were three of us to carry things!
When we arrived back at his room, all of his suite-mates and some of their parents were there. The energy filled the suite, and so did the empty boxes.
It was time to unbox his things! But first, he decided to rearrange the room- easier done with all the stuff still in boxes! One of his roommates had lofted his bed, and Dan liked how much floor space it opened up. Students could make a request to maintenance to have their beds lofted before their arrival. But Dan didn’t do that.
So, I hid in the closet while Dave and Dan took the bed off the headboard and footboard and flipped it over. We didn’t bring tools, so when all else fails, borrow tools and use your legs to bash things. (In related news, Dan had a sore leg the following day and couldn’t remember why.)
Once the bed was up and lofted, he moved the dresser and desk underneath, and then it was time to unpack.
As he pulled out his stuff, I helped put clothes in drawers, and Dave worked on the tech. Dan was up on his bed, figuring out first-hand that putting a fitted sheet on a lofted bed can be challenging.
Closing Out Our Unexpected Move-In Day
Before we knew it, we had gotten to a good stopping point. Dan’s devices were on the campus Wi-Fi, the clothes were put away, and the guitars were out in the corner. There was a fraternity event Dan was planning on attending that night, so it was time to head out for the evening.
Dan wanted a few things for his room, so we went shopping before he dropped us off at the hotel. Clothes hangers didn’t make it in the car, so that was high on the list. He also wanted another pillow and an area rug.
We headed to the Walmart- which was fully set up for college move-in. Unfortunately for us, it was picked through of hangers unless he wanted kids’ hangers.
I guess he wasn’t the only person who had decided to buy hangers once he arrived in town. We headed over to a nearby Ross and found hangers there, as well as an area rug.
Dan then dropped us off at the hotel for the night and headed back to his dorm to get ready for his game night. Dave and I looked at each other and realized that this was our new reality. Dinner and quiet evenings were in our future. It was the dawning of a new time.
We would remain in Tuscaloosa for the rest of the weekend, but Dan would sleep in his dorm. We smiled at each other, thankful we didn’t need to wait up for him to return from his first college social event. Now, where were we going to eat dinner?
#RollTide!
Jennifer Douglas
Jennifer is the author of "A Breast Cancer Journey: Living it One Step at a Time," breast cancer survivor, and patient advocate. Her book, published in 2023 by Bold Story Press, is an encouraging guide for breast cancer patients. It contains first-hand information, organized by topics, to help readers navigate the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from breast cancer. Her writing emphasizes emotional, mental, and physical well-being along with empowered decision-making.
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