Halfway point

We are about halfway through what I usually call 'Sad September', as I usually feel rather down this time of the year. Although this year it all feels quite different. It's actually been rather busy, so I haven't had time to be too sad, nor about September - not even about Lucas not being here.
For sure it has created a new dynamic just being the three of us in the house, and sometimes it feels like Lucas is just up in his room, or out with friends. We do miss him lots obviously, but we are at the same time so excited for him and this new life he is creating for himself.

We love hearing from him about all the things that he is up to and we are cheering him on each step he takes towards his independence. I can tell you - he is certainly growing and advancing fast!
Uni has started with a bang but he seems to be on top of it all really nicely, and most importantly - he seems to be enjoying his course. He has got himself a job at a Brewpub/Restaurant where he can work a few shifts a week to get some extra pocket money. He has met and befriended new people, and have been out and about just living life, and seems to have lots going on. Oh to be young again..!

Linnea has really got on top of her school work for DP already from day 1, which is a great. The fall term always seem a bit heavier with new subjects, teachers, routines and class mates, and less holidays to interrupt the flow. So it's a good thing she so intent on staying focused, she's really off to a good start.

Not only have I been up at the Louvre Abu Dhabi working already quite a few days this month, but we have a new temporary exhibition coming up in less than a month, so I have plenty of study material to go through for that.
There really is no time to sit around and be bored!
But as any good procrastinator, having this studying hanging over me, has made me start other projects around the house as well... We have for example cleared out, tidied and reorganised all the office drawers, the kitchen and the storage room. Next is Lucas room.

Nathan is off up to Scandinavia soon for a weeks holiday, to catch up with Lucas and bring him some more of his things. Namely his warm jacket, some beanies, scarves and mittens to prepare for the cold..!
This September it's actually all going on!

Grown and flown

As Linnea and I packed our suitcases to close up our summer holidays and go back home to Nathan, this time we left Lucas behind. It was time to say goodbye, but not goodbye like many times before - a big goodbye, until, I don't actually know when!
This process of having a kid leaving home has been a bit different for us, as it hasn't been a long and slow process. Most young people who move out just go somewhere else close by, or at least stay in the same country - or even continent! Sure, we knew it was coming, but it still felt like quite a blunt, abrupt ending; in a way, to his whole childhood.
He's now off to do his own thing, live his own life!

I tried to put on a smile while I hugged him (as long and hard as I could) and wished him all the good-luck-be-good-stay-safe-have-fun. It all got too emotional for this Mummy, I am the nostalgic and sentimental type after all.

We are missing him lots back home, but we are so proud of him and are so excited to see where life will take him!

He's so lucky to get to borrow and live in this little annex in a friend's garden to start with. A home away from home, with a fabulous safety net of all our friends around Skåne and Copenhagen looking after him for us, if he needs to!

A space to call his own, with all that he needs. At the moment he doesn't have much "stuff", but Nathan is planning to go see him for his leave in September, and will bring him some more things from here then.

So, our first baby is grown and flown.
At least - there is Zoom and WhatsApp, and easy ways to keep in touch. Even though it will be longer than before, this goodbye is not forever. ♡♡♡

Discovering Malmö

We spent the last few days of the holidays moving Lucas into his new little house, helping him with some admin and discover Malmö a bit.

This week it was Introduction Week for international students at the university, so Lucas took the opportunity to join in at some of the presentations, and meet other students. I got so happy when he text me to say he was going to grab some lunch together with some new friends, at least I certainly don't have to worry about him socially.

He is signed up for business studies (in English) at the Malmö University. Exciting!

While in Malmö we stayed with Pia and family. Although school had started already for Sofie, Emma had another friend visiting, and Pia was at work. So Linnea and I amused ourselves during the day when everyone else were busy, lucky they live close to Emporia!

There we go, it'll be interesting to see how Lucas feels that he fits in after he gets settled. He got a good start, Malmö showed itself from its best side in gorgeous sunshine while we were there. Although we realised the kids have NEVER been to Scandinavia in the autumn, in their life! So I guess it will be an "interesting" experience when the darkness, the wind, the rain and the soggy, grey days arrive later in the fall... he he...