I was so sad when DD1 left! But I can truly say that though we were close then, we are closer now (she is 28 and lives 350 miles away).

As a high school teacher I know a little about over protective parents too, Gaylene and Ceit. In Norway, we call them curling parents - does that make sense? They'll call anyone to fix anything for their kids, and the result is very often a brat.

Thank you, everyone, for your warm and comforting words. It is hard, but we're adjusting, all of us. My daughter called us yesterday, and it felt so good talking to her.

What a bittersweet moment, you described it so beautifully, thank you for sharing. You must be so proud of your daughter!

I still remember my first days away at college. My dad went out to CA with me to help me get settled and I was so embarrassed he kept wanting to hang out with me. I'm like, "Da-ad! Why don't you go to the parent events!" Sheesh! How can I fit in with the other students when my dorky dad keeps hanging around me?

Then on the day he left we said goodbye and I closed my dorm room door. I forgot to ask or tell him something (I don't remember what, but it was something minor) so I opened the door again as he was turning away and I could see tears in my eyes. That touched me, even 18 year old me. My dad passed away from cancer while I was in medical school and I still miss him. I'm sure I'll be bawling when my daughter goes off to college.

Hope your daughter's first days go smoothly and good luck to you with the adjustment!

That's the way I felt when my DD left to do her internship in FL--and that was just for a few months.

Thank you for all your comforting words and shared stories. It really helps!

I really feel for you Ingunn, and those others who have added to this thread. I am also grateful that now we have moved to the city, there is a very high chance my daughters won't have to move out of home if they go to Uni!