Halfway Through College

Two years ago Ashley started college. We were in the beginning of a pandemic we had hoped was really at the tail end. Muhlenberg only allowed the freshman and select upperclassmen to move on campus. Many classes were still held virtually her freshman year. We lived with the understanding there was a good chance they would be sent home if they broke the many rules, or if Covid cases climbed astronomically. Meanwhile, they were not allowed to go home and we were discouraged from visiting.

One year ago Ashley returned for sophomore year. We brought in an exchange student. Partway through the year we were finally allowed to see her room lived in (vs. packed up). 

Today Ashley left with a carload of the necessities and moved herself into college. Tomorrow Don and I will bring the bigger items and finish the move in process. This year she is moving into the basement apartment of a house literally across the street from the dorm she lived in last year. She is sharing a room with Molly (last year's roommate) and Greg (best friend since the first week of college). She is moving in with confidence and happiness we didn't realize was possible two years ago when it was all the unknown.

The high school class of 2020, college class of 2024 had to become more resilient. They learned all their hard work would not pay off in the rewards they were always told to expect -- prom, graduation, celebrations, even having your yearbook signed. The didn't have the hoopla of freshman orientation weekend -- a time when many make the friends they have for life. They had to figure out ways to make those friends while hiding behind masks and keeping at least 6 feet away. I'm proud of her for making a great group of friends.

As Ashley starts her fifth semester at Muhlenberg, we'll move her into a new space for the fourth time. In only 15 weeks we will move her out again so she can go to Italy for a semester.

It really does go quickly.