Mollie's new alarm clock woke us up at 0530 AM. We rested in the room and then got packed. We checked out of the Econo Lodge at about 0645 and drove a short distance to get breakfast at Chick-fil-A in Christiansburg (0720). We ate in the parking lot, Mollie repacked the car and we talked a lot about the huge milestone of college starting for Mollie (some of it was sad). By 0745, we got back on the road (US-460) and drove into Blacksburg. Initially, we drove around the VT Campus to see how the New Cadet Move In process worked. We also explored some side streets in Blacksburg (to get a feel for the town). Eventually, we took a break in Kroger (it had been a while since we shopped together there!). At around that point, Mollie figured out that the VT Bookstore opened at 0800 - she wanted to pick up some items there so we immediately went there to get them. By 0815, we were done and drove around for a little bit longer. We made it back to the Alumni Mall by 0845 and entered the New Cadet queue for New Cadet Move-In. It was sprinkling and we found it difficult to park (lots of other people there). Eventually, I found a spot and the nostalgia kicked in - it was almost 33 years to the day since my own father had dropped me off for Midshipman Orientation at ND and it was surreal that I was getting to have the same experience with Mollie. The atmosphere was a whirlwind of logistics, constant changes requiring one to adapt and overcome, a healthy amount of stress in the new cadets, watchful upperclass cadets (“The Cadre”) and heightened awareness of potential missteps. Despite the difficulty of saying goodbye, I encouraged Mollie to head over to Torgerson Hall to check in (she left with her new roommate). Meanwhile, I was able to unload all of Mollie's things and get them to her room in Pearson Hall East (with some Cadet assistance). I ended up meeting Mollie and her new roommate in their dorm room (0930) and verified that she had everything. After getting some information from the cadet leadership, Mollie was able to leave with me to go exploring. We moved the car into a nearby garage and then walked around the campus, checking out lots of places near the drill field that we'd seen when we visited in with the Twins 2015. Mollie made several phone calls to her mother and sister during this time. By 1045, I took Mollie back to her room and I then headed to Burrus Hall for a two hour presentation by the Corps of Cadets Leadership. It was very informative. After the training was completed for the parents, I walked back to Pearson Hall East (in a downpour) and got to see Mollie one more time. At 1315, I departed the dorm then walked (in the rain) to the parking garage. As I headed out of town, I called Brenna again and filled in the details about Mollie's day. I got lunch at McDonalds in Christiansburg at 1330 and then drove north on I-81 until I reached Harrisonburg. I arrived at around 1545 and met up with Brenna. She asked me to do some household repairs (lightbulbs, furniture moving), computer set up (antivirus service, printer, mouse) and finances (automatic payments, donations, receipts). After this very productive time, Brenna and I drove south on US-11 (and west to the south end of Market Street) to get a snack at Grammie's Ice Cream in Dayton (1735). We ate our sweet treats outside and talked a lot about Brenna's summer. I then took her to get dinner at Popeyes (1845), although we ate the food at the Rough House. I did more repair work (fixed broken toilet) while I was there and I met some of her roommates (and their families). Brenna and I talked for almost an hour and I stayed at the Rough House until her friends arrived (1930). Since she had plans with them, I said goodbye and told her I'd meet her at Mr. J's Bagels at 0600 the next morning. After my time with Mollie and Brenna today, I feel like a Dad that is needed! I checked into the Sleep Inn in Harrisonburg (2040) and talked to Sabrina on the phone. Brenna and I also talked on the phone again and I started reading, prepping for an early bed time (I was tired). However, Mollie called me at 2200 - I was surprised because I thought they had gone into "radio silence" for New Cadet Week. She was feeling a bit homesick and wanted to talk and, of course, I gladly obliged. When I hung up, I heard from her mother and sisters - everyone was worried that something was wrong. I told them that I thought Mollie would be alright but, as a result of all the discussions, I didn't get to bed until almost 0100. What a day...
