Kaden’s 1st Apartment

 Today Kaden and I flew to Utah. We moved him into his apartment in Bountiful Court at 300 North 200 East, #20 Provo.  

We flew from Indy to Chicago and our gate changed 3 times, and was delayed twice before we finally got on our SLC flight. We were 3 hours late landing in Utah. We planned to spend lunch with Papa & Grandma to visit, but it was rushed. Papa got a bike from a neighbor and fixed it up to give to Kaden. It was so incredibly thoughtful and very helpful! Kaden is thrilled about it! We loaded it in the rental car, they gave us some snacks to go, and we left to go to Provo. We had to meet Debbie the apartment manager before 4pm. We were cutting it close due to our delay, but we made it! 

We met Kaden's roommate Bueller and Kaden chose to share a room with him. (even though Bueller made it very clear he liked having his own room, but "can't stop him from moving in here". Pretty sure Bueller is on the spectrum and really likes quiet non-shared space).  Kaden's other roommates were not there at the time. One is from Japan named Hiyasay (sp?) and the other is Santiago. I looked around the apartment to see what supplies he would need. As I searched for cleaning products Bueller hollered from the other room laying in his bed and out of my sight, "We have too many cleaning products already!" I hollered back "What about toilet paper?" There was a long pause then he answered, "Yeah. We could use toilet paper." :) Ok. 

We dropped off Kaden's luggage, but kept the bike in the car. Then went to dinner. It was early for dinner in Utah, but late for us on Indy time and we were hungry. We picked a Mexican restaurant and we were the only ones there. Then we left to buy a bike lock and supplies. We found a Target next to an ACE hardware and picked up a few things. On the way back to the apartment I pointed out a Smith's a couple blocks from his new place. I told him we should get his groceries there and I can use my Kroger discount. He made it known that he didn't want me to buy him groceries and he wanted to do it on his own with his bike. Ok. 

He locked up his bike then unceremoniously said goodbye to me; standing in the back parking lot, he gave me a quick shoulder hug and a short kiss on the top of my head, then he walked away. And that was it. Wouldn't let me drag out the goodbye or hold him to breathe him in for a minute. He just walked back to his apartment, no turning back even once. My boy is living the college life now. 

Feeling pretty heart broken, I drove to the next town over to Springville with one place in mind: visit my mom's grave. It's been there for 11 years and I have never seen her grave marker. They laid it long after the funeral, and I just never made it to Springville on our other visits. But today I was close by, I was alone, I had no where I had to be, and most of all... I needed my mom. 

As soon as I found the grave, Spencer called. I talked with him for a bit and updated him on how the move in went. Then he got off the phone to let me have some time to chat with my mom. 

I just sat there admiring her marker, and also sad that there's already so much wear on it. I told her "Parenthood is hard, mom." I asked her to please keep an eye on Kaden and watch over him for us. I told her how Spence & I have turned Kaden over to the Lord and put him in His hands. I thought the tears would come, but they didn't. I was feeling a roller coaster of emotions but no tears fell. I was too tired in every way. (Plus maybe slightly dehydrated. I always forget just how dry Utah is.) :)  I wanted to stay until sunset, but it was still hours away and I didn't want to be there in the dark. So I drove over to the Sandgren's in Orem where Leslie was waiting for me. I wanted to be close by in case Kaden needed something or changed his mind and wanted me to get groceries with him. I really wanted him to, but I knew he wouldn't. Still, just in case, I was close by. 

Leslie took me on a walk around the gorgeous park behind her house and we had a good talk. But I can't believe we forgot to take a photo together. Bah!