celebrating (mostly)

On Thursday Matt and I had this whole conversation about how he never ever runs any where ever. You'll need to know that a few paragraphs down.

So, this how the whole college search went. First I was in a total panic because so many people told me that boys are the worst about applying to college and don't know what they want and that the moms end up doing all the research while dragging their uninterested unenthusiastic sometimes protesting sons from college to college. I took Matt to the bookstore and bought a couple of college guides. Before I got them out of the bag, Matt disappeared into his room with the guides and soon emerged with lists and maps and spread sheets. This was going to be easy! When there was a vacation or long weekend Matt and I would jump into the car and go see a college or two or four. I took him to see about 10 different schools. Mostly Matt figured out what he didn't want in a college. He didn't want a big college, a city college, etc .... He also honed in on what he did want. So the more colleges we saw, the more Matt honed his list until he had a nice selection of funky small liberal arts colleges. Unfortunately my pleas of staying within driving distance of home (or new town) fell on deaf ears, and Matt (who has occasionally mentioned wearing sandals 12 months a year as a life goal) selected schools in places like Minnesota and Iowa.

PFFFTTT!!! Har dee har har.

He also chose one school in Ohio. Ohio was less of an insane choice distance (and weather) wise so I stepped aside and permitted the husband fly off to Ohio with Matt to check out that school without me. Not taking Matt to see that school was my weak/lame/understated silent protest. Guess which school Matt fell in love with on the spot?

Naturally.

He applied to that Ohio school early decision, which means they sent out their letters of acceptance on Dec 15.

Which is why on Saturday Dec. 18th, Matt and I were standing by the living room window just maybe watching for the mailman to come driving up the street, and when the mailman came Matt was out the door in a flash and then he actually RAN from the mailbox back to the house, so I knew there was something from the first choice Ohio school, and it was not a small envelope, which makes what is in the envelope even more promising, and then Matt ripped it open and from over his shoulder I could (damn! No reading glasses!) make out the first word CONGRATULATIONS and I screamed, only Matt wasn't sure why I was screaming. Then he figured out my screaming and he screamed and we jumped up and down, and hugged each other, and cried and some of my tears were because I was so happy that Matt got accepted by his dream school and some of my tears were because Matt's dream is school is in Ohio. To me Ohio may as well be Minnesota, and also because, seriously? Matt's moving out?

Just when did I give approval for that?

So, (deep sigh denoting mixed bag of emotions) next August Matt will be going to Oberlin. I hope they know how damned lucky they are to get my kid.