Right at this moment, my husband is bringing my son to the Marriott in Miami where they stay before MEPS tomorrow. Because we did the crazy Big Move Thing 2 weeks before he had to report for Boot Camp, he had to fly (for the first time) from Indianapolis back to Miami so he can leave tomorrow. His dad went with since he had a meeting at his Miami office this morning. We had a last dinner and a last lunch yesterday before they headed to the Indy Airport. It still seems a bit unreal to me that I won't see him for 8 weeks. I haven't teared up so much yet, but I think I will tomorrow after he calls the last time when he gets to Philly.

My husband will try to be there tomorrow to see him take the oath and leave. Miami MEPS doesn't seem all that friendly to parents/families though. He will do what he can do!

In the meantime...
I joined the FB page for Sierra 183 and thanks to one of his CC's moms (JLove here, I think), I know he will be in good company!

I also looked into hotels for graduation. Yikes! I won't be delaying getting that done since there aren't that many rooms left! And they are $$$. I bet it's the complete opposite in the winter!

WOW! WOW! WOW! I cannot believe he is finally here! We feel so happy for him and how fortunate he is to be given this great opportunity!

Thanks for all of the sharing and support here so far!

Sounds like you are good to go with all of this!!! It's tough but you ahve been preparing so you'll be fine. The not seeing him isn't so hard, its the not anything... no talking, emailing, texting... that gets rough!!! But this too shall pass and it passes very quickly!

Be sure wherever you reserve they have a cancellation policy just in case! You never know what could happen... I'm sure nothing, but better to ask the questions and be prepared. Also, the winter is no better in Cape May... most of the hotels close. So the ones that are open are booked. It's a no win situation there.

Let us know if we can help with anything and certainly keep us posted on how it all goes!!! I'm glad he got his first ever flight under his belt with his dad. That first one all alone might have been a little scary. Colin was on a plane at 5 weeks old and he has flown everywhere his entire life. So for him being on a plane is like you & I being in a car.

Keep us in the loop!
Macie

Way awesome BeanBloosom...that is just great!

If you think some letters from a crazy old fire captain would benefit him just let me know and off in the mail they will be.

Take captkyguy up on the offer. His letters to my son were very encouraging!
Hang in there. Before you know it your son will be calling home to tell you where he will be stationed after boot camp (week 5). Then he will spend an entire Saturday during his off-base liberty yacking on the phone with you and whoever will answer the phone! Then you'll be on your way to see him graduate. And THEN you'll be nearly three months out and missing him some more because he's off in some other state. But at least you'll be able to talk and skype with him. Yes, I miss my son terribly. But I know this is how life is supposed to go for our kiddo's. They need to spread their wings and fly! It's hard, but I am comforted knowing that my son, and yours, are a part of something GREAT!

Cable's mom is right! It starts off sooo slowww and before you know it its almost that time! Like they say "the days are long but the weeks fly by" is soo true! But definitely write,write,write!! they love the letters my husband said thats what he looked forward to every day! Holy moly though Sierra 183?! Seems like my husband just graduated with Oscar 182!!

Cable's mom is right! It starts off sooo slowww and before you know it its almost that time! Like they say "the days are long but the weeks fly by" is soo true! But definitely write,write,write!! they love the letters my husband said thats what he looked forward to every day! Holy moly though Sierra 183?! Seems like my husband just graduated with Oscar 182!!

oops sry double post! =]

Super excited for you! It will be the journey of your life.Hold on tight- the tears are coming. Mine hit the day I got the first letter and haven't stopped. UGH! Every moment will be such an adventure.. When the first few weeks go by- then the letters are regular and you get to search out pictures and off base run videos.. OMGoodness it's so fun. Take it all in this will be an amazing journey for your son and for you also!! Please keep us posted.

My boyfriend just left the 29th from Jacksonville, FL, I believe he will be in Recruit Company Sierra 183 as well, although he is going through on the reservist side. Since I know his company, would it be possible for me to go ahead and start sending him mail? I couldn't find the FB group for Sierra 183, could you link me to it? I'm so excited and proud of the choice he's made!

You could probably send it and it will get there but not knowing what hall he is in or if it is actually going to be Sierra 183 could pose some problems...plus I am sure he will be way extremely too busy for letters even if the CC's allow him to open them...I personally would wait.

If you really wanted to you could go ahead and send mail to your recruit. The recruits that sort the mail have a master list of everyone's name and what company they are in. So as long as you spell your recruits name correctly it should get to him, but as soon as you know for sure what company/hall he is in please address your mail accordingly.
(Source: I was one of the lucky recruits that got to sort mail in one of the latter weeks of training. Disclaimer: this was accurate as of 1 year ago and things may have changed since then.)

hi there, i am also a new parent to this my son was sent on the 20th to nj from boston ma, we are from plymouth and i am very anxious for him, he is 20 and has never had an adventure on his own so this is a real nailbiter fo me ) i wonder if your daughter will meet up with mike at some point, i dont know his unit yet i am not sure when we get the notice i cant wait to be able to write to him

Caroll...your son will do just great...chat with us instead of biting those nails...lol

Carrol,

My son is stationed in Boston. So he went from NJ to Boston. Your son will be just fine and he is in good hands! The CG is teaching him in 8 weeks what you tried to do for 20 years! (That's just a little chuckle to make you smile.) He will come home for a few days and want to polish his shoes, iron his clothes, fold his underwear, clean his room... you will be astonished! Chat with us and we will get you through the couple of months and answer any questions you might have.

Macie