Welcome Home

Welcome Home was the theme for the class of 2029 we quickly found out on Abigail's move in day. It was on posters, on hundreds of student volunteer tees, in the homily at Mass, in student speeches. Welcome Home. 

Honest to goodness as strange as that sounded at 7am when we pulled in, Fairfield did some kind of wonderful goodness that by the end, Welcome Home felt real. By the time I hugged her through tears at the end I knew I was leaving her 'home'. 

There are over 70 photos to put in this post so I think I'll just get started and let the pictures tell the story. 

Here we go!

Up at 4:45 am

Left at 5:45 am 

Dark skies with the prettiest sunrise peeking over the trees 

Car all packed 

Arrival at 7 am 

At first when we found out that time we thought way too early but actually we are so thankful for that 'first shift' because we had all day on campus with our girl. 

We unloaded, got everything up 4 flights, and man! It gets way worse before it gets better! 

See that open window? That's her room! 

It was all hands on deck and before we knew it, it went from bags everywhere to wall art, a cozy and adorable bed, and the cutest desk set up in the world! 

There are not pictures of everything... some things she still wants to decorate but I took as many as I could. 

All of these frames on her wall she collaged and did herself. Each of us in our little family has a frame. She used notes she'd saved over the years and cut them all out, added fabric, ticket stubs, pictures. It's adorable! 

Anna snuck a surprise under her pillow for her to find later with a bunch of "open when...." notes too. 

Had to get a roommate photo... such a sweet girl. I know they are going to be good friends. 

Around noon we headed out on the quad for a Community BBQ that was so so good! 

The campus was buzzing with freshman and a ton of volunteers. 

Love her smile here so so much! 

We were back and forth and all around that campus. At one point her roommate was out to lunch with her parents and I took these room pictures. I can't wait to take more next time when we visit. Hopefully in late September! 

I love her headboard (pink with flowers), all of the gold frames, the banner too! 

Her adorable desk set up - love the gold, the bows, the little lamp.

I don't have a close up (darn, I will take one next time) but she watercolored a lily for her saint and the church we visited in Quebec where she praying in front of her saint relic. 

3:30 pm Presidents welcome (loved the student speaker) 

4:00 Mass of the Holy Spirit 

5:00 pm Goodbye

I started to feel really sad and cry around communion time during Mass ~ the music, the beauty, the tradition, it was all hitting my heart.... 

And then we walked out and had to say our goodbyes. She was off to welcome programing and we had to head out with all of the other parents. So so sad. 

Leaving my baby girl was just not easy I tell you. But we are proud of her, oh so proud of her and I know she will do amazing, spiritually, socially, academically. 

I kept one little surprise all day in my camera bag ~ a rosary bracelet 

My last goodbye hug

And then off she went into this crowd looking for her group number. Once I saw her finally find it we had to leave. 

Found these she has left for us when we got home late that night. The most beautiful letters thanking us for her childhood. 

Oh Abigail, you are going to soar. I love you and miss you more than I can explain. Our home here is just not the same without your joy. But you are home too, your new home. 

Welcome home Abigail, welcome home!