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Comment by Gary on February 10, 2013 at 6:32pm

Kelly - Thank you for the reply. Yes we are trying to spend as much time with our son before his adventure begins. We have a party planned. We are so proud of him. I expect his departure date to be such a mixture of emotions.

Comment by KJB on February 10, 2013 at 5:41pm

Gary, I sent you a friend request but wanted to respond immediately to your question. I made it a point to try and put everything else second to my son. Not always a reality with job and family. I would recommend doing everything you guys like to do together. We worked out together a lot, and I think that helped his mental and physical preparedness plus allowed us to spend time together. Make sure family and friends all get their fair time. We threw a party for him a few days before he left and it was awesome-not so much for goodbye's but so everyone could eat and share memories. Not a sad occasion at all. Go to favorite restaurants. Just hang together when you can. Do something you have said you were going to do together but haven't for one reason or another. Departure date is the hardest and harder than my wife and I thought it would be. She believes that God makes teenagers somewhat impossible to live with so it is not as hard to say goodbye when it's time for them to leave. But this is different-it's not like you're dropping them off at college or they're moving out and you'll be able to speak with them. You're giving them up to the US Navy and to the service of our country. We have 3 boys and he was the last out of the nest-so the fact that he is such a huge personality combined with a now empty and quiet home makes it even stranger. However, the one thing that is bigger than the sadness of him leaving is the PRIDE we feel for why he left and the man he will become.

Comment by Gary on February 10, 2013 at 3:18pm

My son will leave for basic in April. Anything you can share, wish you did, glad you did ,etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Comment by NavyDads Group Admin, Gary on February 9, 2013 at 12:12pm

And the journey begins... :)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim on February 8, 2013 at 9:15pm

It only gets better!

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on February 8, 2013 at 3:02pm

think you're proud now, just wait until PIR!!!  The time will go faster than you think it will....explore the site and learn while you wait to see him march through the big door in the drill hall at Great Lakes!!