If You Cry at College Orientation, Maybe Reconsider?

I grew up in a college town so when it was time to graduate, unlike most of my college-bound classmates, there was NO WAY I was gonna stick around and go to the university in our town. It was a great college and my best friends were all staying and going there, but it really didn't even cross my mind. Beautiful campus, near the ocean (@ HOME... BOO) I applied to a bunch of schools, but knew I wanted to go to the University of Washington. The big state school in Seattle. Sororities, Division I sports, PAC 10! Not in the same town as my parents. :) I got accepted and I really don't even remember debating. I was gonna be a Husky and go to UW! Woohooo.

A few guy friends were heading there too, but not really a single girl that I knew was planning on attending UW. I didn't care. I was excited. Summer passed, got my first UW purple sweatshirt. Wore it proud all summer.

Minor Detail: Met. A. Boy.

This boy had gone to my high school and I had NEVER TALKED TO HIM ONE TIME. Not even a single word.

Then on the grad trip (ya know, the trip the trip your parents make you go on where you get on a bus and they drive you to some sort of event in the middle of the night and make you play games until the wee hours of the morning when they feed you pizza? yeah, that trip) I sat next to this guy. I was smitten. We started dating, and it was one of the greatest summers ever. He was staying in our hometown and going to the University in town with ALL of my other besties. Was I starting to regret my decision the closer the calendar got to September? NOPE!

I was totally fine with leaving my best friends, family, BOYFRIEND and everything I had ever known. I mean. Come on. It was college, and I was gonna enjoy it :)

About a week before college started, it was time for Incoming Freshman Orientation. I remember my grandma and sister rode along with my mom to drop me off, and they were gonna hit up some Seattle shopping while I was at my day of fun activities. Seeing campus, registering for classes, checking out the dorms and Greek system. Sounds like fun to me. I didn't know anyone else going to my specific orientation session, but was I nervous? NO! I mean, I figured everyone would be new and not know anyone and it would just be fine and dandy.

I remember looking down at my little orientation/map/schedule thingy about exactly which library I was supposed to met my group in at 8AM that late August morning. I remember slamming the car door, making sure my new Hollister polo shirt (oh admit it, you thought they were cool too) was unbuttoned enough (hehe) and looked at the campus. My new home for the next four years...

and I BURST INTO TEARS. Got back into the car and BEGGED my mom not to make me go...