September 2025. - Hadley Goes to College, Easton starts Grade 10
Throughout the summer, Hadley and I did many shopping trips and packed many boxes for the anticipated September 1st move in day. On that day, there were many things to navigate. To back track, over the summer, Hadley matched on the roommate app with two boys who had similar personalities. It wasn't what she was expecting, she was expecting to be in a room full of girls, however, after much conversation, it made sense to begin talking with these two boys over the summer to see if their study style, living style and the such made sense and they got along so well. So, on moving day, when Daniel arrived at his movie in time, he came to realize that the room type they requested had been changed. So after a morning of back and forth with property management, it was finally changed back to the room style Justin, Hadley and Daniel wanted after asking Lucas, who nobody had talked with up until that day, who was in the room from the previous semester, that these three roommates would be a good fit. Next up, Brian did a fantastic job of tetris packing the van with all the things she would need/want. We arrived and Hadley signed up for electrical and water before heading to her assigned room, only to realize that she had been given the wrong room number to put on the forms, so after sorting that out, we finally got access to her room but no key yet. Also, note, the electrical and water couldn't be changed until the next day as it was the Labour Day holiday. (Side note, this was easily fixed the next day but not ideal to deal with on move in day). We managed to get access to her room with the help of security who promised to get her key sorted out while we moved her in. By 5:45 no key yet, so Brian and Hadley went to sort that out while Easton built Hadley's new desk chair and I organized some food staples and other things in her room. Apparently the office was closing for the night when Brian and Hadley arrived but they managed to get a sympathetic worker who figured out a key for her room for her before ending his shift. Thank goodness.
On their way back Hadley and Brian came across the leftover food that had been given out the hour before and they brought pizza up to her room, so her new roommates and our family enjoyed a pizza together.
I had given Hadley a few gifts but the family frame with photos inside was the real tear jerker for both of us. That night was hard, for both Hadley and I. Saying goodbye was A LOT! She was emotional which made me emotional. I woke up at 2am, after tossing and turning all night to that point and finally just went and slept in her bed. She, however, had to go to class the day after moving in, so when we talked later she was able to send me a photo of her in front of her door for the first day of school. I drank my morning tea from my Seneca Mom cup. Holding on to the warmth and hope for a great day for her. The next two days I think we talked every time she had a free moment from class. I think we both needed it. But slowly, she started to be okay with a little more space and now a month into school, she has gone to a BBQ, a residence party, and met up with two girls to take the subway to go see a movie at Yorkdale. We still talk daily and she is learning lots of life stuff daily. But I think we both feel more comfortable. She came home the first weekend after being there and I think that filled her cup. Lisa had just driven here from the Yukon, so we met up with her, and she was able to show off her room (including fairy lights, new bedding and posters that reflect her so well) and she gave her a tour of the school grounds and we went out for dinner before spending the weekend together playing games and hanging out. Hadley's first semester schedule is amazing. She has Fridays off and Monday mornings off!
So with the offer from the 407 that allows me to drive between 7am and 9:30am weekdays between September 1 and November 30th, this will make picking up and dropping off a breeze.
Easton also had his first day of school for grade ten and it was strange to take photos of just him on the first day. His year is off to a good start. We have already had a parent council meeting too. House league hockey has begun, he made AP (call up) for Select too.
Now, it was time for a little girls outing. I met up with Lindsay, Stacey and Andrea for a fun day out at Toronto Premium Outlets. We enjoyed dining, shopping and lots of catch up time! Lindsay and Andrea I have known since kindergarten and Stacey since grade 9. What a fun day!
Mid month we found out that the Northern LIghts would be possible to see, so we went outside and we could see them from our backyard. Better with the camera but also with just our eyes.
I was able to get out for a few different walks, one with my friend Patti, another with Melissa, both down by the lake, as well as a third walk with Barb to go see the salmon run again this year. I love that this is 5 minutes from our house!
I have also signed up for line dancing again with Marsha and Melissa and a few of their friends, as well floor hockey but going this year will be hit or miss depending on when Easton has hockey. However, I'm still glad to be playing.
So far the school year is off to a busy but good start!