In an attempt to get Huck out of his room on a late Sunday morning in early April, I texted that the Easter Bunny had arrived one last time. After a brief lol, he emerged from his sweet smelling cave and politely reacted to the various goodies in his pastel basket that has held this job for many years. I casually mentioned this would be his final Easter basket, but then I promised to go to his college campus – no matter how far away – and create an Easter egg hunt for his classmates with a big sign saying “From Huck Schremmer’s Mom.” Later Troy and I attempted to make a special Easter dinner of vegetarian quiche and risotto that I promptly burnt and caused the house and everything in it to smell of fire. Not too long after Huck said, “Yeah, I probably won’t have any more Easter dinners with you guys either.” Afterwards I picked up the empty basket with its paper green grass and thought, “Now what do I do with this thing?” I put it back with the other festive containers that have served their purpose through two childhoods – the New York City one and this latest one in Fayetteville  – and are now going to become museum items.

Then came April 19th, and as I opened presents Huck said, “This might be the last time I’m with you for your birthday until you turn 60 or something and everyone gathers.” And he’s right; for decades I stopped celebrating my parents’ birthdays in person, though nowadays I tend to make a point to be with them in late June and November. For quite a few years now Huck has been in charge of choosing T.J. Maxx candles with the very best scents for my gifts, as he knows and understands my sophisticated palate better than his father (who has many other great traits) does. Since he was so extra busy this year with his school musical on top of choir competitions and regular old school work, he secretly trained Troy to take over. We were all a little nervous as I opened the gifts Troy carefully picked out, but we three quickly decided he had indeed learned from the master and is now officially capable of candle-shopping alone.

Which is a good thing, since Huck has chosen Carnegie Mellon as his next adventure! He and Troy just got back from a whirlwind trip to Pittsburgh, and within a few hours of being on campus they texted me the picture below. Since we visited a lot of college bookstores full of amazing sweatshirts over the past year and never once purchased one, I knew this was getting serious. The spot where Huck is standing also happens to be the view of the CMU live webcam. Being far away from all the excitement, it didn’t take me long to figure out how to rewind the camera footage and watch Troy and Huck walk along the path and discover the sculpture at 8:26am and then again at 12:02pm, this time with Huck in the lead. I kindly requested that Huck have his lunch there everyday and wave in the general direction of the camera.

Next up in a few hours: Huck’s first and last prom wherein he wears his first (but probably not last) ballgown!