May is the new September. But unlike September with all the promise of a new school year, May is bittersweet. Filled with milestones and celebrations, May also means closure and changes ahead. 

When my kids were young it always seemed to busier and busier every year as the sports teams became more competitive and the number of school events grew exponentially. I thought it would dissipate after they graduated high school but it did not. Now, May is the month they descend back home from college. Laundry is everywhere, there is never enough food, kids are all around and the nights and noise go late, late late.... And, I love it!

This May marks a milestone for our family. Yesterday, my oldest graduated from college! This will most likely be his last move home (and he will be home for a hot second -- long enough to dump his stuff, maybe do his laundry and then leave for the next adventure). I am feeling all the feels. Graduations are bittersweet. Huge accomplishments, next steps, change and the passing of time.

Underneath the feeling proud and so much love, I couldn't help but feel a little sad. We had a family beach house in Maine for many, many years. When the kids were little and the days gray and cold, we would take a trips Bowdoin (my Dad's and now son's alma mater). Dressed in their Bowdoin gear, the boys would run on the quad, play on the polar bear statue and we would eat lunch in the student union. Yesterday's celebration was in the same weather, with the same backdrop and it hit me so hard -- I may never return here. 

As I make the trek back home today, I will sit with "all the feels" and bask in the (wet + cold) memories we made this weekend. Onward!