The Second Semester Goodbye Is Different Than The First

“Mom, SERIOUSLY? Why are you crying?”

My son was shocked to see my tears as I pulled into the airport departure lane, dropping him off for his flight back to college for second semester.

But instead of bolting for the curb to avoid the awkward moment, he set his duffel bag down and opened his arms wide. “Come here,” he chuckled softly.

“This is why I’m crying,” I sobbed, as he smothered me in his giant man-embrace.

“You’ve grown up so much in the past few months, and I’m proud of the man you’...